Development of a Competency Scale for Nurses of a Japanese Community Hospital: The Unnan Ladder

Abstract

Background and PurposeThe Japanese Nurse Association (JNA) has established the JNA ladder to assess competency in various clinical nursing settings in Japan. This study developed and tested a specific Japanese community hospital's Nurse Competency Scale (the Unnan ladder).MethodsUsing the Delphi method, the contents of the Unnan ladder were identified and validated in a four-step approach. A 28-nurse panel approved 66 items; 112 community nurses assessed the content, construct concurrent validity, and internal consistency of the Unnan ladder competency scale.ResultsThe Unnan ladder data were normally distributed. Higher scores on it correlated with higher scores on the Nurse Competency Scale. The Unnan ladder categories showed good internal consistency.ConclusionsThis ladder's application may lead to improved nursing skills and better patient care.