Constructing an index system of core competence assessment for kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China: a multi-method study

Background With the increase in kidney transplants, kidney transplant precision nursing is receiving more and more attention. However, no previous study has established a core competency evaluation index system for kidney transplantation nurse specialists. The purpose of this study was to develop a core competency index system for kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China. Methods The study was conducted in two phases: (1) initial draft development via literature review and semi-structured interviews with eight nurses; (2) two-round Delphi expert consultation involving 17 experts. Results The core competency index system included eight primary-level indicators (clinical professional knowledge, clinical practice skills, critical thinking ability, managerial ability, communication and collaboration skills, educational and guidance capacity, professional development ability, and personal traits), 19 secondary-level indicators, and 62 tertiary-level indicators. The effective response rates for the two consultation rounds were 100% and 94%, respectively. The authority coefficients of the experts were 0.908 and 0.912, respectively. The Kendall’s W coefficients for the primary-, secondary-, and tertiary-level indicators were 0.355, 0.349, and 0.171 in the first round, respectively, and 0.414, 0.250, and 0.211 in the second round (all P < 0.001). Conclusions The core competency evaluation index system for kidney transplantation nurse specialists appears to be scientifically grounded and holds potential for practical application, providing a reference for the training, assessment, and management of kidney transplantation nurse specialists. However, it has not yet been clinically validated; future research should focus on testing its reliability, validity, and applicability in clinical settings to enhance its utility.