The effect of joint training program on professional core competencies of ICU nurses in Guangdong province cooperated with HongKong

Objective This study aims to evaluate the effect of joint training on professional core competencies of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses.Methods Nurses enrolled in Joint Training Program (the experimental group) between 2007 to 2009 were interviewed with questionnaire and compared with those received general training (the control group).Data were collected before and after 10 months of training.Scores of ICU nurse core competencies from the two groups were analyzed and compared.Restults Comparing with the control group,scores of the experimental group showed statistical differences on total score,theory dimension,technical dimension and 54 items.Conclusions Joint training could improve the professional core competencies of ICU nurses,especially the competences of management and application of nursing to critically ill patients and ICU special skills. Key words: Joint training; ICU; Nurse; Core competency