Vol. 7, Issue 4, Part A (2021)

Materials & Methods: The present research study was conducted on 218 registered nurses selected by simple random sampling. The purpose of the study was explained to the nurses and written consent was taken from them and also assurance was given to maintain the confidentiality. The baseline data was collected from the samples using the structured interview schedule. Level of nurses clinical competencies was assessed by using the observational checklist and the factors influencing the clinical competencies of the ICU nurses was assessed by the Nurses competence scale (Rating Scale).

Results: As per the nurse competence scale, the score of clinical competencies of ICU nurses are within the range of very good (38-100) with majority of nurses (78%), mean of 94.17 and S.D 5.97 respectively. The factors especially teaching – coaching & work role has maximum score of 68, mean 37.66, SD 9.72 and 58, mean 45.4, SD 10.83 respectively suggesting that these two factors has influence on the clinical competencies of ICU nurses. There is significant association of factors influencing clinical competencies of ICU nurses with selected demographic variables. Factors such as teaching coaching, managing situations, therapeutic interventions and ensuring quality is significantly associated with ICU Nurses’ educational qualification. Diagnostic functions and managing situations is significantly associated with nurses shift duty. Diagnostic functions’ is associated with usual length of shift duty and average patient assignment of ICU nurses. Helping role, managing situation and ensuring quality is associated with marital status of ICU nurses. Helping role and managing situation is also significantly associated with no.of children the ICU nurses have.

Conclusion: The study concludes that the factors such as teaching – coaching & work role have maximum influences on the level of clinical competencies of ICU nurses.