ABSTRACT
Purpose: This study aimed to measure the influence of infection control fatigue and compassion competence on disaster nursing core competencies of nurses at COVID-19 designated hospitals. Methods: A descriptive survey was conducted among 128 nurses from two COVID-19 designated hospitals. Data were collected from June 1 to 14, 2022 and analyzed using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regression with SPSS for Windows version 26.0. Results: Disaster nursing core competencies had a significant correlation with compassion competence (r=.50, p<.001), but not with infection control fatigue. Multiple regression analysis for disaster nursing core competencies revealed that the most powerful predictor was communication (β=.31, p<.001). Communication, insight and having children explained approximately 30% of the variance in disaster nursing core competencies. Conclusion: The compassion competence of nurses at COVID-19 designated hospitals was a major factor influencing disaster nursing competence. Communication was the most important sub-factor of compassion competence. It will be necessary to develop and implement a program to enhance nurses' compassion competence to improve nurses' disaster nursing core competencies. © 2022 Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.