Factors Affecting Clinical Nursing Competency: A Cross Sectional Study

[Background] The purpose of this study was to elucidate the factors which affect the achievement of clinical nursing competency. [Methods] A survey was conducted on 717 nurses using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Their clinical nursing competency was assessed using the Clinical Nursing Competence Self-Assessment Scale (CNCSS). This study examined the factors affecting clinical nursing competency using regression analyses. A simple regression analysis was performed with the CNCSS as the objective variable. A multiple regression analysis was performed using the items for which the relationship was clarified as explanatory variables. [Results] The factors affecting the “basic nursing competency” were age, ease of taking time off, workplace with a clear vision, and good interpersonal relationships. The factors affecting the “competency in providing assistance commensurate with the patient’s health status” were total years of experience, workplace with a clear vision, ease of taking time off, and use of acquired certifications. The factors affecting the “coordinating care environment and teamwork” were total years of experience, workplace with a clear vision, use of acquired certifications, and ease of taking time off. The factors affecting the “ability for professional growth in nursing practice” were use of acquired certifications, workplace with a clear vision, total years of experience, and ease of taking time off. [Conclusion] For improvement of clinical nursing competency, the factors elucidated to be necessary were accumulation of experience as a nurse, a clear vision of goals, and a work environment with good interpersonal relationships and ease of getting days off. The way nurses make their nursing practice experience meaningful contributed toward their growth as nurses. It is important to train nurses through basic education and continued education with awareness of achievement and improvement of clinical nursing competency. Basic education should promote the ability to make clinical training experience meaningful and continuing education should enable nurses to continue to grow independently through reflection.