We created a new soft-hard technology based on the validity evidence of contents according to experts of the five regions of Brazil.

Objective: To verify the evidence of content validity of the Identifying Issues (Identification questions) elaborated from the theoretical-logical model of the Matrix and the Profile of Professional Competence of the emergency nurse. Method: Descriptive and methodological study of a quantitative approach with a psychometric reference as a precursor in the elaboration of a measurement instrument for the evaluation of competencies. The study was conducted in 2013 in Brazil, with a national sample of nurses specialized in emergency services and/or with professional competence in the area. Three stages were considered: questionnaire development; data collection with Delphi, appropriate statistics for Likert; and interpretative analysis of the comments/suggestions of the analyzed issues. Results: Delphi was used in four stages. There were minor adjustments to the content and inclusion of a new Competence. They obtained 90% of Score Percentage and 98.61 of Content Validity Index. Conclusion: There was consensus among the experts and the research demonstrated evidence of content validity, suggesting pertinence and adequacy to represent the constructs of competencies.

Objective: to evaluate the validity of the Competence Scale of Actions of Nurses in Emergencies based on internal structure, internal consistency, and external criteria. Methods: methodological study to verify new evidence of validity of the Scale, with contents previously validated. The Scale has 81 measurable actions at five levels of competence and can be applied both for self- and/or hetero-evaluation. Results: one hundred and forty seven nursing assistants and 41 managers from the five regions of Brazil participated in the study. They were linked to mobile prehospital emergency service, fixed prehospital emergency service, or hospital emergencies. Dimensionality was evidenced by exploratory factorial analysis of the 81 items, pointing out seven factors that explained 66.5% of the total data variance. Cronbach’s alpha ranged from 0.79 to 0.98. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin 0.988 indicated that the correlations between the items were significant. In the external criterion, Pearson’s correlations between hetero-evaluation competence scores and the manager’s subjective classification were significant (p < 0.001), as well as differences in the means of these competencies by criterion group. In addition, scores by characteristics were evaluated to detect statistically different means. Conclusion: through the adopted Statistical Procedures, with multi-methods and multi-informants, different psychometric properties were analyzed. A summary of evidence was generated showing that the Scale is valid and reliable.

Objective: To develop the professional competency profile for the nurse working in emergency services. Methods: A descriptive exploratory study based on a Brazilian Competency Matrix, aligned to the market trends, to the particularities of emergency nursing, previous studies and the opinion of experts who determined whether the actions were appropriate for satisfactory performance of nurses in the mentioned area. Results: Based on the basic skills and their associated competences, as indicated in the Matrix, we described 56 attitudes/behaviors represented by actions that identified a satisfactory performance of emergency. These attitudes/behaviors, designated as identifying issues, generated the Professional Competency profile that was assessed as appropriate for nurses. Conclusion: The Competency Profile that should be expressed by nurses working in emergency services allows describing their level of competence and helps them achieve the desired excellence with a high-level practice. The psychometric phase is related to assessing behaviors and focuses the principles to be observed in relation to the theoretical procedures. ResumoObjetivo: Propor o Perfil de Competência profissional do enfermeiro em emergências. Métodos: Estudo descritivo exploratório balizado por uma Matriz de Competência brasileira, alinhado às tendências do mercado, às particularidades da Enfermagem em emergências, a estudos existentes e a opinião de experts que consideraram se as ações eram próprias ao desempenho competente do enfermeiro na área considerada. Resultados: A partir das Competências Básicas e respectivas Competências Associadas indicadas na Matriz houve a descrição de 56 atitudes/comportamentos representadas por ações capazes de identificar o desempenho competente do enfermeiro em emergências. Estas atitudes/comportamentos, designadas de Questões Identificadoras, geraram o Perfil de Competência desse profissional avaliado como apropriado por enfermeiros. Conclusão: O Perfil de Competência a ser expresso pelos enfermeiros que atuam em serviços de emergência permite descrever o seu nível de competência e contribui para que eles atinjam a excelência desejada mostrando uma prática de alto nível. A etapa da psicometria está relacionada com a avaliação de comportamentos e aponta os princípios que devem ser observados em relação aos procedimentos teóricos.

Objective: To propose a Professional Competency Matrix for the nurse working in emergency services. Methods: This is a descriptive study that details quantitative, nominal and conceptual aspects of the proposed competencies. The creation of the Competency Matrix was based on the professional experience of the researchers, empirical evidence, and specialized literature. Results: The proposed Professional Competency Matrix was composed of eight basic competencies, with 31 associated competencies attributed to them. Conclusion: The proposed matrix directs nursing practice toward a level of excellence, facing the quality assumptions and access to care for emergency patients. ResumoObjetivo: Propor Matriz de Competência Profissional para o enfermeiro atuar em serviços de emergências. Métodos: Trata-se estudo descritivo que detalha aspectos quantitativos, nominais e conceituais das competências propostas. A criação da matriz de Competência foi realizada com base na experiência profissional das pesquisadoras, evidências empíricas e literatura especializada. Resultados: A Matriz de Competências Profissionais proposta foi constituída por oito competências básicas, sendo-lhes atribuídas 31 Competências Associadas. Conclusão: A matriz proposta direciona a prática do enfermeiro em nível de excelência, diante das premissas qualidade e acesso no atendimento dos clientes em emergências.