J Korean Acad Nurs Adm.  2016 Dec;22(5):480-495. 10.11111/jkana.2016.22.5.480.

Characteristics of Nursing and Caring Concepts Measured in Nursing Competencies or Caring Behaviors Tools

• Park EJ
• Kim MH

• KMID: 2367003
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11111/jkana.2016.22.5.480

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to identify characteristics of nursing and caring concepts measured by nursing competencies or caring behaviors tools for general nurses working in acute care hospitals.
METHODS
Five major nursing literature databases were used to identify the relevant tools. The study included 19 nursing competencies tools with a total of 843 measurement items and 12 caring behaviors tools with 334 items. According to the International Council of Nurses (ICN)'s Competencies Framework and 8Cs suggested by Roach (1987) and Pusari (1998), the measurement items were classified by two researchers independently first and in agreement finally.
RESULTS
Competency of "˜key principles of care' including sub-areas of the ICN Framework was most commonly found: on average 49.3% of nursing competencies items and 91.9% of caring behaviors items. 97.0% of the caring behaviors items were classified into one of six Cs: competence (27.5%), confidence (21.3%), compassion (17.1%), commitment (16.5%), communication (9.9%), or conscience (4.8%).
CONCLUSION
Nursing competencies tools were more likely to measure "˜what to do' focusing on tasks, while caring behaviors tools were to measure "˜how to do' focusing on nurses' attitudes or values. Nursing practices should be evaluated with both nursing competencies and caring behaviors tools, considering that nursing and caring were differently conceptualized in the quantitative tools.

Keyword

Nursing care; Caring; Clinical competence; Professional competence; Surveys and questionnaires

MeSH Terms

Clinical Competence
Conscience
Empathy
International Council of Nurses
Mental Competency
Nursing Care
Nursing*
Professional Competence
Surveys and Questionnaires

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