Effect of Competency Based Training Program on the Nurses’ Performance, and Self- confidence Regarding Antenatal Care

Background: Effective prenatal nursing care is dependent on skilled and confident nursesworking in a well-equipped healthcare environment with a reliable referral system. Nursesshould advocate for comprehensive supportive care for women and prioritize the implementationof high quality healthcare standards. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect ofcompetency based training program on the nurses' performance, and self-confidence regardingantenatal care. Research design: A quasi-experimental research design was utilized. Setting;held in four settings; the first two settings were at outpatient clinics of obstetrics andgynecological departments at Tanta University and El- Menshawy hospitals, while the other twosettings are at EImbaby Maternal and Child Health and Sigar Medical Centers in Tanta City, El-gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Data were collected using three tools: Tool (I); Nurses'knowledge regarding antenatal care questionnaire was included three parts. Part I: Nurses'socio demographic characteristics; Part II: professional history of studied nurses; and Part III:Assessment of nurses' knowledge regarding antenatal care. Tool (II); Nurses' practicalobservational checklist regarding antenatal care. Tool (III); Nurses' self-confidenceregarding antenatal care. Results: Nurses' knowledge, clinical performance, as well as self-confidence concerning antenatal care were high after the implementation of competency basedtraining program. Conclusion and recommendations: Competency based program waseffective at enhancing the nurses' knowledge and practice concerning antenatal care whichtranslated into higher confidence scores. Hence, this program should be conducted continuouslyand adopted to enhance and refresh nurses' performance and confidence in other differentmaternity nursing subjects.