Factors Influencing Competency Development of Nurses as Perceived by Stakeholders in Vietnam

Abstract

Background: Competency of nurses is vital to safe nursing practice as well as essential component to drive quality of nursing services. Competency development is a continuous process of improving knowledge, attitudes and skills, and is influenced by a numerous of factors.Purposes: This study aims to explore factors that influence the development of competencies of nurses working in clinical settings in Vietnam.Methods: A descriptive qualitative research was conducted in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with a purposive sample of twenty-seven participants including nurses, nurse managers, administrators, nurse teachers, medical doctors, and other health care providers. Data collection was by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.Findings: The research participants described numerous of factors that influence the journey of developing nurses’ competencies. The identified factors were relevant to nursing education and training system in Vietnam; working environments of nurses; public image and values of nursing profession; characteristics of nurses themselves; Vietnamese nursing profession; sociocultural-economic and political aspects in Vietnam; and global contexts.Conclusion: The derived knowledge would greatly benefit clinical nurses, administrators, nursing educators, health care services managers, policy makers as well as other relevant health care stakeholders in proposing of solutions to promote nursing education, nursing workplace environments, and the appropriate regulations in order to enhance the nursing competency and quality of nursing services in Vietnam.

The identification of requirements for competency development during work-integrated learning in healthcare education

“…This is in accordance with earlier research stating that the needed competencies and their development need to be thoroughly integrated into the curriculum so that a holistic picture of competency development can be provided and continuity can be ensured [ 28 , 42 ]. Another study showed that it seemed difficult for nurses to apply in practice what they have learned in nursing schools [ 43 ]. They also stated that the inappropriate curricula, focusing on technical competencies, might further complicate continuous competency development which is in alignment with our findings [ 43 ].…”

Nurses’ Efforts to Maintain Competence: A Qualitative Study

“…Professional development was one of the main phases in the nursing career ladder. 11 Other studies stated that continuing professional development could improve competency, increase knowledge, and develop professionalism in providing nursing care. Continuing professional development was one way to improve the competence of nurses.…”

“…Higher competency and satisfaction with the quality of care are associated with more positive perceptions of the work environment, ethics, greater empowerment, and occupational commitment. 11 Most nurses in Indonesia only have a diploma education, so Indonesia has much homework to improve and maintain the competence of nurses. The need for a highly educated nursing workforce is evident in the positive patient perceptions.…”

Senior nurses’ perceptions of essential soft skills for novice nurses in a private hospital in Jakarta, Indonesia: A phenomenological study

“…Regarding organizational commitment, Labrague et al (2018) found that organizational commitment is affected by a nurses' age, gender, education, rank, and work experience. Organizational commitment is vital to every nurse because it helps them better care for patients (Naghneh et al, 2017;Ha & Nuntaboot, 2020). On the other hand, the clarity of calling as a nurse makes a nurse have a stronger career and organizational commitment and tend to be willing to help colleagues and strive for the good of the organization (Afsar et al, 2019).…”