Building a competent workforce: a competency model for strategic development of infectious disease nurses

Purpose This study aims to construct and preliminarily evaluate a structural competency model for infectious disease specialist nurses, delineating the pathways between competency dimensions to support strategic workforce planning and management in health organizations. Design/methodology/approach A sequential mixed-methods design was employed. Qualitative data from phenomenological interviews with 28 practitioners informed a competency framework, which was quantitatively validated through a cross-sectional survey and structural equation modeling to test hypothesized pathways. Findings The model identifies seven core competencies: Clinical Care, Education, Research, Professional Development, Management, Communication, and Infection Prevention and Control. The pilot quantitative analysis showed generally high self-rated competency levels and substantial training needs. However, the newly developed scales demonstrated limited internal consistency in the present sample, and the hypothesized path relationships did not reach statistical significance. Clinical Care did not significantly predict Infection Prevention and Control, and the proposed effects of Infection Prevention and Control and Research on Professional Development, as well as those of Communication and Education on Management, were not statistically supported. The hypothesized mediating role of Infection Prevention and Control between Clinical Care and Professional Development was also not statistically significant. Originality/value This study offers a qualitatively grounded competency framework with preliminary quantitative evidence that clarifies potential interrelationships among infectious disease specialist nurse competencies and provides a foundation for future large-sample validation, workforce development and training design.