2018 Volume 7 Issue 2 Pages 60-71
Purpose: This study aimed to develop and examine the reliability and validity of the competency scale for mid-level public health nurses (PHNs).
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on PHNs using self-reported questionnaires. Moreover, a competency scale consisting of 81 items was developed for mid-level PHNs. The study targeted PHNs who worked in 816 middle- and small-sized municipalities in Japan. The participants were classified into two groups based on years of work experience. The first and second groups had 6–10 years (junior mid-level) and 11–20 years (senior mid-level) of work experience, respectively.
Results: We analyzed the responses of the 593 PHNs. The response rate was 50.9%. The valid response rate was 44.6%. A factor analysis of the 75 items, excluding the items related to health crisis management, was conducted. Eight factors consisting of 62 items were obtained. The factors were as follows: “competency of community-focused health care”, “competency of care coordination”, “competency of support and fostering junior fellows”, “competency of case management”, “administrative competency”, “competency of business management and practice”, “competency of development and the accomplish of a human resources plan”, and “competency of personal development”. The Cronbach’s α value was 0.96.
Discussion: The reliability and validity of the competency scale for mid-level PHNs who worked in middle- and small-sized municipalities was confirmed.
