Nurses' efforts to maintain competence: A qualitative study

Background: The clinical competence of nurses should be maintained to ensure patient safety. Competence is the integration of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Nurse competency also improves the quality of nursing care and reduces the incidence of missed nursing care. This study aimed to explore the experiences of nurses maintaining a nurse competence system in hospitals through continuing education. Design and Methods: The research method used was qualitative phenomenological research, and the data was collected through an in-depth interview which was consist of six participants. Results: The results of the research were 1) continuing professional development to maintain the competence, 2) credentialing system in the career ladder system, 3) missed care still occurred in the implementation of nursing services 4) nurses had hopes that managers supported the efforts to maintain competence through continuing professional development. Conclusions: Nurse managers are expected to improve the supervision program to maintain clinical competence and decrease missed care.