Core competence evaluation standards for emergency nurse specialist: Developing and testing psychometric properties

Abstract

Introduction: Nurse specialists are being cultivated and trained in China to cope with the international development of nursing discipline. However, an empirical summary and reviews of literature have shown a lack of core competence evaluation standards for emergency nurse specialists (ENSs) in China. ENS training has been conducted in several regions without any effective competence evaluation standards. This paper describes the development and psychometric testing of the Core Competence Evaluation Standards for Emergency Nurse Specialists (CCESENS) in the Chinese context. Methods: Several rigorous research methods were applied. The proposed evaluation process consisted of two phases with seven steps. First, the Core Competence Framework Model for Emergency Nurse Specialist (CCFMENS) was established, and 118 items were generated through a review of literature, theoretical analysis, and expert interviews. Drafts of the dimensions and items were evaluated by two-round Delphi methods. Analysis hierarchy process was used to determine the weight of each dimension. Second, field testing was performed among 138 senior emergency nurses. Internal consistency and correlation analysis were applied to test the reliability and validity of the model. Results: The CCESENS consisted of five first-level dimensions, 16 second-level dimensions, and 55 items. Cronbach's α coefficient of overall standards was 0.972, and each dimension ranged from 0.508 to 0.972. Expert content validity index was 0.818, and the correlation coefficients of the five first-level dimensions with the overall standards CCESENS ranged from 0.701 to 0.886 (P < 0.05). Discussion: The CCESENS demonstrated sound internal consistency reliability, content validity, and construct validity. The proposed standard provides an objective standard and reference for assessing, training, and evaluating core competence of ENS.

Keywords

• Core competence
• Competence evaluation
• Emergency
• Nurse specialist
• Reliability
• Validity