[Factors defined by nurses as influential upon the development of clinical competence]

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Competence is acknowledged as a controversial issue in health care settings, which affects many different aspects of the nursing profession such as education, practice and management. Although a number of research and discussion papers have explored the issue of competence in nursing and in particular the meaning and assessment of nursing competence, to date little research has been carried out to survey the factors identified by nurses themselves as being influential upon the development of professional competence in nursing. In this regard, this study attempted to reveal factors that contribute to the formation of competence based on nurses' experience. Once these factors understood, managers and educators might be able to implement appropriated strategies to boost nursing competence development