Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis

Abstract Background Determining the core competence of advanced practice nurses is foundational for promoting optimal design and implementation of advanced practice nursing roles. Core competencies specific to the contexts of the advanced practice nurse in Hong Kong have been developed, but not yet...

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Main Authors: Sek Ying Chair, Frances Kam Yuet Wong, Denise Bryant-Lukosius, Ting Liu, Krista Jokiniemi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-03-01
Series:BMC Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01203-1
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author Sek Ying Chair
Frances Kam Yuet Wong
Denise Bryant-Lukosius
Ting Liu
Krista Jokiniemi
author_facet Sek Ying Chair
Frances Kam Yuet Wong
Denise Bryant-Lukosius
Ting Liu
Krista Jokiniemi
author_sort Sek Ying Chair
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Determining the core competence of advanced practice nurses is foundational for promoting optimal design and implementation of advanced practice nursing roles. Core competencies specific to the contexts of the advanced practice nurse in Hong Kong have been developed, but not yet validated. Thus, this study aims to assess the construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale in Hong Kong. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using an online self-report survey. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the factor structure of a 54-item advanced practice nurse core competence scale through principal axis factoring with direct oblique oblimin rotation. A parallel analysis was conducted to determine the number of factors to be extracted. The Cronbach’s α was computed to evaluate the internal consistency of the confirmed scale. The STROBE checklist was used as reporting guideline. Results A total of 192 advanced practice nurse responses were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis led to the final 51-item scale with a three-factor structure, which accounted for 69.27% of the total variance. The factor loadings of all items ranged from 0.412 to 0.917. The Cronbach’s alpha of the total scale and three factors ranged from 0.945 to 0.980, indicating robust internal consistency. Conclusion This study identified a three-factor structure of the advanced practice nurse core competency scale: client-related competencies, advanced leadership competencies, and professional development and system-related competencies. Future studies are recommended to validate the core competence content and construct in different contexts. Moreover, the validated scale could provide a cornerstone framework for advanced practice nursing roles development, education, and practice, and inform future competency research nationally and internationally.
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spelling doaj.art-d4f5b909f9d944589ac1bda967ea87592023-03-22T10:48:56ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552023-03-0122111010.1186/s12912-023-01203-1Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysisSek Ying Chair0Frances Kam Yuet Wong1Denise Bryant-Lukosius2Ting Liu3Krista Jokiniemi4The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, N.T. ShatinThe Hong Kong Academy of NursingSchool of Nursing, McMaster UniversitySchool of Nursing, Sun Yat-Sen UniversityDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern FinlandAbstract Background Determining the core competence of advanced practice nurses is foundational for promoting optimal design and implementation of advanced practice nursing roles. Core competencies specific to the contexts of the advanced practice nurse in Hong Kong have been developed, but not yet validated. Thus, this study aims to assess the construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale in Hong Kong. Methods We performed a cross-sectional study using an online self-report survey. Exploratory factor analysis was used to examine the factor structure of a 54-item advanced practice nurse core competence scale through principal axis factoring with direct oblique oblimin rotation. A parallel analysis was conducted to determine the number of factors to be extracted. The Cronbach’s α was computed to evaluate the internal consistency of the confirmed scale. The STROBE checklist was used as reporting guideline. Results A total of 192 advanced practice nurse responses were obtained. Exploratory factor analysis led to the final 51-item scale with a three-factor structure, which accounted for 69.27% of the total variance. The factor loadings of all items ranged from 0.412 to 0.917. The Cronbach’s alpha of the total scale and three factors ranged from 0.945 to 0.980, indicating robust internal consistency. Conclusion This study identified a three-factor structure of the advanced practice nurse core competency scale: client-related competencies, advanced leadership competencies, and professional development and system-related competencies. Future studies are recommended to validate the core competence content and construct in different contexts. Moreover, the validated scale could provide a cornerstone framework for advanced practice nursing roles development, education, and practice, and inform future competency research nationally and internationally.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01203-1Advanced practice nurseAdvanced practice nursingCompetenceExploratory factor analysisNurse consultantNursing education
spellingShingle Sek Ying Chair
Frances Kam Yuet Wong
Denise Bryant-Lukosius
Ting Liu
Krista Jokiniemi
Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
BMC Nursing
Advanced practice nurse
Advanced practice nursing
Competence
Exploratory factor analysis
Nurse consultant
Nursing education
title Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
title_full Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
title_fullStr Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
title_full_unstemmed Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
title_short Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: an exploratory factor analysis
title_sort construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale an exploratory factor analysis
topic Advanced practice nurse
Advanced practice nursing
Competence
Exploratory factor analysis
Nurse consultant
Nursing education
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01203-1
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AT denisebryantlukosius constructvalidityofadvancedpracticenursecorecompetencescaleanexploratoryfactoranalysis
AT tingliu constructvalidityofadvancedpracticenursecorecompetencescaleanexploratoryfactoranalysis
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