*MSc, BSc, RN, PhD, Assistant Professor, Psychiatric Nursing Department, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (International Branch), Tehran, Iran
**Associate Professor, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
***BSc, MSc, PhD, Professor & Deputy Dean of International Affairs Office, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
****Assistant Professor, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Nursing & Midwifery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*****Associate Professor, Biostatistics Department, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
1Corresponing Auther, Vali-Asr Avenue, Cross of Vali-Asr and Neiaiesh Highway, Opposite to Rajaee Heart Hospital, Tehran, Iran
Online published on 22 January, 2015.
Mental health nursing's clinical competency is an important subject in theoretical and practical nursing education which is influenced by many factors. It seems that using a district and appropriate model to achieve mental health nursing's clinical competency not only determination of attain to educational goals, but also provide evaluation, feedback and performance modification. Therefore, a basic research about mental health nursing students’ clinical competency model is necessary.
This research was done through descriptive exploratory with a mixed method approach. At first, qualitative stage, semi structured interviews with 16 students, faculty members, head nurses and nurses who worked at psychiatric wards, is done. At the second stage, "Mental Health Nursing Students’ Clinical Competency Model" was designed through an exploratory study based on Walker and Avant's theory synthesis method. To assess the validity of the model, Delphi technique was conducted in two rounds in which participants were 20 faculty experts with a five point Likert scale questionnaire.
Analysis of qualitative stage included four themes: "Get ready and becoming familiar", "Confronting", "Involving" and "Being competent" and 13 categories. At second stage, mental health nursing's clinical competency model with four dimensions was designed. Delphi technique showedthat the model had an appropriate validity.
In this research "Mental Health Nursing Students’ Clinical Competency Model" was designed. It seems can help to plan proper curriculum for the mental health subject matter in nursing.
Clinical competency, Mentalhealth nursing student, Clinical competency model, Nursing education
