Self-reported Professional Competence Among Swedish Contact Nurses in Cancer Care : A Cross-sectional Study

• Background: Since 2011, patients in Swedish cancer care have been offered a contact nurse (CN). The CN role is to improve patient participation, care continuity, and provide information and manage patients’ symptoms and needs across the whole continuum of the cancer pathway. A competence profile for the CN role is yet to be developed, and it is important to assess CNs’ self-reported competence to assure that they are well equipped for the role.Objectives: To assess self-reported professional competence among contact nurses working in Swedish cancer care and relate the findings to education level and clinical experience.Methods: The Nurse Professional Competence scale short form (35 items) was used to assess the nurses’ professional competence. Data were collected through a web-based survey in 2017 in 2 regional cancer centers in Sweden.Results: One hundred eight CNs participated in the study and reported highest scores in “value-based nursing care” and lowest scores in “development, leadership, and organization of nursing care.” Higher age, extended clinical work experience, and academic degree were significantly associated with higher competence.Conclusions: CNs with extensive work experience and CNs with an academic degree reported higher scores concerning their generic competence. There is a need in future studies to assess CNs’ specific competence in cancer care.Implications for Practice: There is room for improvement in the competence development of CNs, primarily in the areas of leadership and organization of nursing care.What is Foundational: CNs’ competence regarding leadership and organization should be improved, preferably as part of academic education.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

cancer care

competence

contact nurses

Nurse Professional Competence scale

professional nursing

Nursing Science

Omvårdnad

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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