Competence and Work Discipline as Determinants of Nurse Performance in a Hospital Perinatology Ward

Nurse performance is essential for ensuring safe, responsive, and high-quality perinatology services, particularly in hospitals caring for high-risk newborns. This study investigated the effects of competence and work discipline on nurse performance in the Perinatology Ward of Dr. Slamet Garut Regional General Hospital. A quantitative descriptive-verificative design was employed, involving all 34 nurses through a saturated sampling technique. Data were collected using observation, interviews, and structured Likert-scale questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression, t-tests, F-tests, and the coefficient of determination. Competence was assessed through motives, traits, self-concept, knowledge, and skills, while work discipline included schedule compliance, rule compliance, and behavioral compliance. Nurse performance was measured based on work quantity, quality, efficiency, and timeliness. The results indicated that competence was rated very high (85.19%), whereas work discipline (82.81%) and nurse performance (79.17%) were categorized as high. Regression analysis (Y = −9.361 + 0.596X₁ + 0.312X₂) demonstrated that competence and work discipline had positive and significant partial and simultaneous effects on nurse performance. The adjusted R² value of 0.721 indicates that both variables explained 72.1% of the variation in nurse performance. These findings highlight the importance of continuous competency development and strengthened work discipline to improve nursing performance in specialized hospital units.