Fulfilling the competencies of members of a nursing team

Abstract

The paper deals with the competencies of individual members of a nursing team. The aims of the paper were to describe the current state of fulfilling the competencies of members of nursing teams in inpatient facilities in the Czech Republic as perceived by managers of non-medical professions; to compare the differences in activities of the nursing process, and to assess the needs and education of patients in different types of health-care facilities. The research was conducted using quantitative research methods applying a questionnaire technique of personal design. Individual items were formulated on the basis of the legally established competencies of paramedical staff and expert recommendations, which ensured the content validity of the questionnaire. Results showed that all members of a nursing team perform activities beyond their “internal” and “external” competencies or do not fulfil them at all. The differences between various types of health-care facilities in implementing activities of the nursing process and evaluating the self-sufficiency and education of patients were not established. Activities that are solely the responsibility of nurses are being provided by other medical staff members (medical assistants, nursing assistant and orderlies). In contrast, nurses significantly contribute to performing less skill-required care. This situation not only does not meet the requirements of safe and quality nursing care, but it also directly affects the rights of patients to receive medical services at the appropriate level of expertise and the responsibility of providers to ensure quality health services. The failure to use competency management of members of a nursing team represents an inefficient process within the personnel management of health-care facilities.