[Nursing competencies in palliative care. A self-evaluation survey in the province of Belluno, Italy].

OBJECTIVES: Objectives. To explore the perceived self-competence level of palliative care nurses in the province of Belluno (Italy), compared to Core Curriculum in Palliative Care Nursing (CCICP) competencies and to identify own strengths and weaknesses.

METHODS: The authors performed a descriptive study using an anonymous questionnaire. The study population included 25 Palliative Care and Hospice nurses and ward managers of a local health unit in the city of Belluno and one in Feltre (Italy), of whom 24 agreed to participate in the study and compiled the questionnaire correctly. Participants were asked to evaluate their own competencies as compared to those defined by the CCICP, by assigning to themselves a score from 0 (no competence) to 10 (total competence). Three competency levels were identified: score 0-5 "low" level, score 6-7 "medium" level, score 8-10 "high" level.

RESULTS: Overall, 33,33% reports feeling highly competent, 62,5% feels average, 4,17% considers insufficiently competent. Nurses feel most competent in "Appropriate use of interventions, activities and nursing skills, aimed to provide optimal care in Palliative Care" while they feel least competent in "leadership competencies and management of group dynamics in Palliative Care". More specifically, the "ability to personalize assistance to improve the quality of life of the assisted person and his family, relieving physical, psychosocial and spiritual suffering in the team and in all the services of the Network" is the area in which they feel especially confident; on the contrary, the "ability to promote fundraising activities to finance Palliative Care and recruit volunteer resources" is reported to be the most critical.

CONCLUSIONS: Results show that nurses have a medium to high level of self-perceived skills. The study has laid down the foundations for a wider staff evaluation process which would be useful in improving nursing satisfaction and, indirectly, the quality of the service.