Competency of Registered Nurses Working in Primary Health Care Service Units in the Songkhla Provincial Network

Abstract

This descriptive research aimed to examine and compare the competencies of registered nurses working in primary healthcare units within the Songkhla provincial network. The comparison was based on age, work experience, job position, educational background, and completion of the general nurse practitioner training program (basic medical care). The sample consisted of 128 registered nurses selected through stratified random sampling. The research instruments included a general information questionnaire and a competency assessment questionnaire for registered nurses working in primary healthcare units in Songkhla province. The content validity index (CVI) ranged from 0.67 to 1.00, and the instrument’s reliability, measured by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, was 0.89. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Mann-Whitney U test. The research findings revealed that:

1. The overall competencies of registered nurses across all 10 areas were rated at the highest level. The highest average score was in ethics, morals, and legal aspects, followed by basic disease treatment. The lowest average score was in research and knowledge transfer.

2. The competencies of registered nurses did not significantly differ based on age, work experience, position, education level, or gender.

Therefore, it is recommended to enhance the competencies of professional nurses by organizing targeted training programs or appropriate capacity-building courses, to strengthen the skills of primary care nurses, enabling them to meet the population’s needs and effectively fulfill their roles and responsibilities within a rapidly evolving health care system.