Influential factors associated with core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses and correlation with self-directed learning ability: A cross-sectional study.

Aims and objectives: This study aimed to investigate the current status of the core competencies and self-directed learning ability of diabetes specialist nurses and to explore the relationship between these core competencies and their self-directed learning ability.

Design: A cross-sectional survey design was used.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted via a web-based questionnaire platform in China from January 14 to April 24, 2023. The survey included a general information questionnaire, a diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies self-assessment scale, and a nursing staff's self-directed learning ability evaluation scale. The data was collected online. Descriptive, correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted using SPSS 26.0 software.

Results: 118 diabetes specialist nurses from 11 cities participated in this study. A positive correlation was observed between the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses and their self-directed learning ability. The characteristics affecting the core competencies of diabetes specialist nurses included age, participation in external learning and communication and self-directed learning.

Conclusions: The training of diabetes specialist nurses can focus on core competencies, and the ability to self-direct learning can be used as an entry point to customize feasible theoretical and practical courses. The training system can further improve diabetes specialist nurses' core competencies and self-directed learning abilities.

Relevance to clinical practice: A reference can be established that nursing managers and nursing educators can use to develop training programs for specialist nurses by validating the link between their core competencies and self-directed learning skills.

Patient or public contribution: Participants were involved solely in the data collection process. No participant contributions were required for the study's design, outcome measurement or implementation.