Development of a Competency Framework for Registered Nurses in Social Medicine Department: A Case Study of Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital, Tak Province

Abstract

Competency in providing community health service is crucial for registered nurses in the social medicine department. The purpose of this development study was to develop a competency framework for the registered nurses of the Social Medicine Department, Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital based on the competency framework development model of Marrelli, Tondora, & Hoge (2005). The samples included eleven registered nurses in the Social Medicine Department chosen by purposive sampling and three experts in the nursing field. The instrument was an interview guideline validated by three experts. The development process included: 1) reviewing the relevant literature, 2) interviewing nurses in the Social Medicine Department, 3) developing a draft of the competency framework, and 4) content validating the draft of the competency framework.

The result of the study revealed that the competency framework of the registered nurses consisted of 57 behavioral indicators which could be divided into the following six dimensions: 1) health service in the community comprising of seventeen behavioral indicators, 2) nursing services and primary medical care in a hospital comprising of thirteen behavioral indicators, 3) obstetric services comprising of eight behavioral indicators, 4) home visits comprising of seven behavioral indicators, 5) infection control in the community  comprising of six behavioral indicators, 6) quality development and assurance comprising of six behavioral indicators.

            Nurse administrators of the Somdejphrajaotaksin Maharaj Hospital can use this competency framework as a guideline for developing performance appraisal and training the registered nurses in the hospital. In addition,the registered nurses can use this framework for self-development to meet their required job functions and qualifications.