Components of Nurses’ Narrative Competence and Their Acquisition Process

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the components of nurses’ narrative competence and the process through which it is acquired.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nurses identified as having strong conversational skills. Data were analyzed using a combination of qualitative inductive methods and the Modified Grounded Theory Approach.

Results: Nurses’ narrative competence was found to consist of five components: Self-Control, Building Trusting Relationships, Nursing Professionalism, Openness to Narrative, and Empathic Problem-Solving Orientation. The acquisition process was shown to develop and refine itself through a cyclical progression involving Confronting Oneself, Empathy and Awareness of Diversity, Promoting Growth and Change, and Enhancing Work Engagement.

Conclusion: The five elements comprising nurses’ narrative competence systematically represent a sequence of practical dialogic abilities. Moreover, the acquisition process reflects a maturation pathway characterized by professional self-transformation.