RESUMO
AIM: This study aimed to determine clinical competency and psychological empowerment among ICU nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. BACKGROUND: Nurses need clinical competency (skills pertaining to knowledge, reasoning, emotions and communication) and psychological empowerment (regard for one's organisational role and efforts) to deliver quality care. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 207 nurses working in ICUs in Iran. A clinical competency survey instrument consisting of basic demographic questions and the Spreitzer psychological empowerment questionnaire was completed online. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse the data in SPSS software version 13 to address the primary research question. RESULTS: There was a significant positive relationship between clinical competency and psychological empowerment (r = .55, p < .001). Clinical competency had a significant positive relationship with work experiences (r = .17, p = .01). CONCLUSION: Clinical competency has been tied to nurse health and quality of care. Given the significant positive relationship between clinical competency and psychological empowerment, attention must be given to ways to psychologically empower nurses. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Nursing managers can consider the promotion of psychological empowerment related to its significant positive relationship to clinical competency. Psychological empowerment can be bolstered through the promotion of servant leadership, organisational justice and empowering leadership practices.
