J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs.  2022 Mar;31(1):80-87. 10.12934/jkpmhn.2022.31.1.80.

Effects of a Competency-Based Education Program for Inpatient Psychiatric Nurses: A Pre-Post Intervention Study

• Song YO
• Kim H
• Nam Y
• Choe K
• Ha J

• KMID: 2528287
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12934/jkpmhn.2022.31.1.80

Abstract

Purpose
This study aimed to develop a competency-based educational program for strengthening the competency of psychiatric nurses and evaluate its effects.
Methods
The study used a quasi-experimental design. Participants included 64 psychiatric nurses in South Korea: 33 nurses (32 females, 1 male) in the experimental group and 31 nurses (26 females, 5 males) in the control group. A competency-based education program for psychiatric nurses was developed through a literature review and discussion with 12 experts. The program addressed eight topics and provided 24 hours of education over 4 days, for 6 hours each day. The collected data via questionnaires were analyzed statistically.
Results
The education program enhanced overall clinical nursing competence and strengthened professional self-growth competence. The management and teaching competencies of both the experimental and the control groups also increased significantly.
Conclusion
The findings of this study presented an educational program to strengthen the clinical competency of psychiatric nurses and it was proven that the education had a capacity-building effect.

Keyword

Psychiatric nurse; Nursing competence; Nursing education; Continuing education; Psychiatry