Competencies of nurses in caring for patients receiving chemotherapy

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to describe chemotherapy nurses’ competencies worked at Srinagarind hospital.  The sample consisted of 40 chemotherapy nurses. The instrument used was the chemotherapy nurses’ competencies questionnaires.  Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using mean and SD.  Results revealed that mean scores of all seven main competencies of chemotherapy nurses which were at the high to the highest levels respectively were:  knowledge of chemotherapy and drug administration; risk and complication management; patients’ preparation before-during and after chemotherapy administration; cancer knowledge and its impact; and communication, teaching and providing information respectively. The dimension on ethic and patient’s rights competency was at the highest level, while the dimension on knowledge and research development competency was at the lowest level. The overall chemotherapy nurses’ competency was at the high level.  It is suggested that this data should be further used in planning for improving chemotherapy nurses’ competencies.