Licensed Practical Nurses' Gerontological Nursing Competence: A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

AIM: The study aimed to describe and explain the self-assessed gerontological nursing competence of licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in one wellbeing services county of Finland and explore the factors relating to it.

DESIGN

A descriptive cross-sectional design was used in this study.

METHODS

Data were collected in one Finnish wellbeing services county between March and April 2023 using the GeroNursingCom instrument, comprising 53 items covering 11 competence factors and four additional documentation-related questions. The questionnaire was distributed to nursing professionals (n = 2916), including registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, across three organizations. The present study focuses on licensed practical nurses (n = 493). Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

RESULTS

LPNs evaluated their total gerontological self-assessed competencies as very good or good. The strongest competence dimensions were in encountering and interacting, considering a safe living environment and supporting functional capacity. According to the results, only the age of the LPNs was statistically significant for the total self-assessed competence in gerontological nursing. The strongest total competence was found in those who were under 40 years of age and the weakest in those who were 50 years of age or older.

CONCLUSION

LPNs reported good to very good self-assessed total gerontological nursing competence. Younger LPNs reported significantly higher overall competence than older LPNs, highlighting the importance of continuous competence development throughout the career.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: The results show that LPNs' gerontological self-assessed nursing competence is generally good or very good; however, there are skill gaps in certain areas. Gerontological nursing competence is highest among LPNs under 40 and those with extensive experience in older people's care. These findings can help LPNs and organizations focus on developing gerontological nursing competencies to address skill gaps and improve the quality of care.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: No Patient or Public Contribution.