Improving nurses’ emergency response competence through the clinical rotation training program

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop and evaluate a structured clinical rotation-based emergency response training program to enhance nurses’ emergency competence, theoretical knowledge, and technical skills. Methods: A comprehensive emergency training program was developed, and a randomized controlled trial was implemented from June 2022 to May 2023 at a tertiary general hospital in Chongqing, China. The study involved 214 nurses, with 106 participants in the intervention group receiving a 3-month innovative emergency response competence training and 108 in the control group undergoing conventional training. Postintervention assessments evaluated emergency response capabilities using the Emergency Response Ability Assessment Scale for Nurses in Public Health Emergencies, theoretical knowledge through a self-designed comprehensive theoretical assessment instrument, technical skills using a standardized skill assessment form, and training satisfaction through two distinct feedback instruments. Results: The emergency response ability scores were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to controls (3.99 ± 0.18 vs. 2.53 ± 0.25, P < 0.05). Theoretical assessment scores showed marked improvement in the intervention group versus the control group (85.31 ± 4.40 vs. 52.45 ± 6.19, P < 0.05). Technical skill performance was significantly better in the intervention group than that in controls (94.47 ± 1.64 vs. 86.39 ± 2.36, P < 0.05). Training satisfaction was higher among intervention group nurses compared to controls (4.53 ± 0.23 vs. 4.00 ± 0.38, P < 0.05), with nursing managers also reporting greater satisfaction with the intervention program versus conventional training (4.57 ± 0.49 vs. 3.92 ± 0.79, P < 0.05). Conclusion: The clinical rotation-based structured emergency response training program effectively enhances nurses’ emergency competencies, theoretical knowledge, and technical skills. These findings provide both theoretical foundations and practical guidelines for developing emergency response and specialized nursing competence training programs.