National Competencies for Registered Nurses in Primary Care: A Delphi Study. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lukewich, Julia; Allard, Michelle; Ashley, Lisa; Aubrey-Bassler, Kris; Bryant-Lukosius, Denise; Klassen, Treena; Magee, Tanya; Martin-Misener, Ruth; Mathews, Maria; Poitras, Marie-Eve; Roussel, Josette; Ryan, Dana; Schofield, Ruth; Tranmer, Joan; Valaitis, Ruta; Wong, Sabrina T.
• Is Part Of: Western journal of nursing research. Volume 42:Number 12(2020)
• Page Start: 1078
• Page End: 1087
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: primary care -- registered nurse -- competencies -- Delphi method -- nursing roles; Nursing -- Research -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Research -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- West (U.S.) -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing Research -- Periodicals; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- Recherche -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers -- États-Unis (Ouest) -- Périodiques; Soins infirmiers; Recherche; États-Unis (Ouest); Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 610.730702
• DOI: 10.1177/0193945920935590
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0193-9459

Abstract

A Delphi (consensus) process was used to obtain national agreement on competencies for registered nurses (RNs) in primary care. A draft of competencies was developed by key informants. Following this, nurses with primary care experience/expertise completed a Delphi survey to rate the importance of competency statements on a six-point Likert scale. Statements not reaching consensus (agreement ≥80%) were modified and included in a second (final) round. The first survey was completed by 63% ( n = 86/137) of participants and 84% ( n = 72/86) of these participants completed the second survey. Most statements ( n = 45) achieved agreement after the first survey; one statement was dropped and two were combined following the second round. The final list of competencies consists of 47 statements across six domains (professionalism; clinical practice; communication; collaboration and partnership; quality assurance, evaluation, and research; leadership). National competencies will help strengthen the RN workforce within primary care, improve team functioning, and support role integration/optimization.