Construction of competency evaluation measures for operating room nurses

Objective

To develop a scientific and reasonable competency evaluation index system for operating room nurses (ORN) in order to provide a tool for selecting, training and evaluating operating room nurses in China.

Methods

A multiple-method approach including in-depth interviews and the Delphi and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used. Eighteen interviews were undertaken to explore the components of ORN competencies, and then 30 operating room experts were consulted to gain consensus. Finally, the AHP was adopted to determine the relative weights of competency elements, thus increasing the accuracy of the results.

Results

Results of the interviews suggested that there were 32 items of ORN core competency. Results of the DHP (Delphi and AHP) revealed 22 ORN core competencies in four dimensions, such as specialized knowledge, professional ability, personality and self-motivation. The weights of these four dimensions were 0.477, 0.138, 0.256, and 0.128, respectively.

Conclusions

The construction of an ORN core competency evaluation index system in this study contained not only explicit competence but also implicit competence, which reflected the requirements for operating room nurses comprehensively in China. In particular, as the system presented the specialized features of an operating room, it would be of great importance for both nurses and hospitals.