Comparison of self-competency and executive (charge) nurse competency assessments of clinical nurses.

Aim: This study compared nurses' self-competency assessments and their managers' nurse competence assessments.

Background: Nurse competence is important for nursing care quality and patient safety. Executive (charge) nurses play a main role in the nurse competency assessment.

Methodology: In this study conducted at a university hospital between January and December 2020, the self-efficacy evaluations of nurses (n = 162) working in services other than the emergency department, operating room, and outpatient clinics of the university hospital were compared with the evaluations of nurse executives (charges) on these nurses (n = 21). Data were collected using the personal information form and the Nurse Competence Scale. A cross-sectional study design was used. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guideline was used for reporting.

Results: Service nurses' self-assessments and nurses treating charge's assessment of clinical nurses evaluated the competence levels as excellent in both groups. The self-competency assessments of the nurses were higher than the charge nurses' competency assessments.

Discussion: In this study, the lower competence assessment of nurses by the charge nurses was may be due to their ability to observe nurses in their teams in general and that they have more experience in evaluation.

Conclusion: It is suggested that professional development and competence programs be created to further develop the competencies of nurses.

Implications for nursing and health policy: Nurse competency assessments support planning to ensure patient safety. Patient care burden and planning of risky patients according to the nurse competency level will provide safe patient care.