NURSES’ COMPETENCY IN CLINICAL SETTINGS AND ITS RELATED FACTORS

Background and Objectives: Competency results in provision of patient-centered care and safety, eventually promoting the quality of care. This study aimed to determine nurses’ competency in clinical settings and its related factors. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was performed on 500 nurses of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences selected through stratified random sampling. The data were collected using the Competency Inventory for Registered Nurses. Then, the data were analyzed by the SPSS statistical software, version 16. Results: The nurses’ mean score of competency was 164.42+36.03. Moreover, 268 nurses (65%) had high levels of competency. The results also showed a significant relationship between nurses’ competency and age, work setting, years of nursing experience, employment status, membership in the organization of nursing, universities in which the nurses were educated, and interest in the nursing field. Conclusion: The results indicated the nurses’ high competency levels in clinical settings. Additionally, formally employed nurses and those who were members of professional organizations showed higher competency levels. The nurses who were educated in state and high-level universities also reported higher levels of competency. Therefore, considering these related factors can improve nurses’ competency. Yet, further studies are required to determine nurses’ competency process. Keywords: Competency, Nurses, Hospitals