Status of core competencies of wound, ostomy and continence nurses and their influence on career success: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES: The wound, ostomy and continence nursing practice has its own scope and standards, and each standard requires relevant competency. However, the core competencies of wound, ostomy and continence nurses that contribute to the career success are poorly known. To identify associations between career success and core competencies of wound, ostomy and continence nurses in China. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey with a convenience sample. SETTING: Participants were recruited from 108 hospitals in 28 provinces. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 123 wound, ostomy and continence nurses were surveyed. MEASURES: Career success, core competencies and demographic characteristics of wound, ostomy and continence nurses, were measured in this study. METHODS: A survey was distributed to 123 wound, ostomy and continence nurses were recruited from 108 hospitals in 28 provinces. Multivariate logistic regression was undertaken to explore associations between career success outcomes and core competency scores of wound ostomy and continence nurses and their demographic characteristics. RESULTS: The career success and core competency of wound, ostomy and continence nurses were both above average. Nurses who had higher total scores of core competency were more likely to have higher career success, including total score (OR=4.90), career satisfaction (OR=5.58) and perceived internal (OR=4.55)/external (OR=3.42) organisation competitiveness. Higher competency in interpersonal communication (OR=7.70) and more time for wound care per month (OR=8.80) predicted higher career satisfaction. Additionally, nurses with higher professional development were more likely to score higher in perceived internal organisation competitiveness of career success (OR=4.36) and the overall career success (OR=5.96). CONCLUSIONS: The career success and core competency of the wound, ostomy and continence nurses in China were at an above average level. The associations between career success and core competency of the wound, ostomy and continence nurses were positive, suggesting that competency enhancement could improve nurses’ career success.