Critical care competencies of nurses toward a structured training frame work, at prince sultan military medical city, Saudi Arabia (2013-2016)

Clinical competency of the critical care nurses should be reinforced to ensure provision of safe, effective and quality nursing care among the patients. A need to structure a training framework to reinforce these competencies was the focus of this study. A descriptive quasi experimental research design was utilized to assess the level of competence of the nurses both in the control and study group. The sample size was 100 out of the 216 population finalized after consideration of the inclusion criteria. Data were collected using self-assessment tool. BKAT and Unit Specific Competency Assessment Tool. The results revealed significant relationships between self-assessment and demographic profile specifically age (.005 and .049) in the pretest and posttest and educational attainment (.013) of control group. The results also revealed relationships on BKAT and years of experience (.015 and .038) pretest and posttest. Significant relationships were also established between unit specific competencies and demographic profile specifically on; Age and mechanical ventilator (.043) and age and Pulmonary Catheter (.036) from the control group and age and mechanical ventilator (.043) in the study group. Significant difference also existed between the level of competency of both groups on BKAT and Unit Specific competencies both at .001. All the results were compared and interpreted at 0.05 level of significance. The study concluded to reject the null hypothesis. Recommendation include adoption of the training framework formulated to reinforce clinical competencies of nurses