Self-Perceived Long-Term Care Competency and Its Related Factors Among Nurses Working in Acute Care Facilities

Background: In response to the promotion of long-term care policies, nurses in hospitals must not only have professional knowledge related to disease care but also be equipped with care competencies related to long-term care. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the self-perceived competencies of nurses working in acute care facilities with regard to long-term-care and related factors. Methods: A cross-sectional research design with quota sampling was used. The participants were recruited from registered nurses employed at a medical center in southern Taiwan, and data from 159 valid, returned questionnaires were used in the analysis. The research instruments used included the long-term care competency scale and long-term care-related knowledge, and care intention. T test, Chi-square, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to examine the relationship between the targeted variables and long-term care competency. Regression analysis was used to determine the important determinants of long-term care competency. Results: The average age of the participants was 30.86 years (± 3.38). Most currently worked in the internal medicine department, 93.1% were educated to the university level, 44% had worked for fewer than 5 years, and 32.7% were N3 level nurses. Long-term care competency was found to be significantly and positively correlated with gender (t = 2.06, p = .041), seniority at the facility (F = 2.49, p = .046), job satisfaction (r = .28, p < .001), and long-term care service practices (r = .227, p < .001). After the regression analysis, self-perceived long-term care competency was found to be positively related to job satisfaction and long-term care service practices. Conclusions / Implications for Practice: The results of this study suggest that a long-term care training should be incorporated into the regular in-service education program to improve the knowledge and attitudes of nurses with regard to older and disabled patients and to develop their professional role in long-term care. Furthermore, the results may be referenced by nursing supervisors in acute care facilities when making arrangements for nurses to participation in the Clinical Nursing Ladder Program and when arranging nursing staff training and setting the direction of longterm care-related education and training in healthcare facilities.