Factors influencing nursing care competences in neonatal intensive care units: Generalized equation estimation analysis

Abstract

Nurses’ care competence is an important determining factor for outcomes of sick infants hospitalized. This study investigated the individual and organizational factors influencing care competence of nurses in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). A cross-sectional study surveyed 141 neonatal nurses from seven hospitals across South Korea. An online survey questionnaire consisted of care competence of neonatal nurses, the Korean version of the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, and demographic questions. A generalized equation estimation analysis identified individual and organizational factors predicting care competence of nurses from different hospitals. NICU nurses who were older (p < 0.001), had higher education (p = 0.036), longer NICU working experience (p < 0.001), and advanced role position (p = 0.005) reported a higher competence level. Among work environments at the hospital-level, nurses’ care competence is different in three subdomains: nursing foundations for quality of care (p < 0.035), staffing and resource adequacy (p < 0.001), and collegial nurse–physician relations (p < 0.001). NICU nurses’ competency can be improved with increased NICU working experience, better adequate staffing, and more positive relations with other care providers in the NICU.