Nursing

Mechanical ventilation

Intensive care medicine

Cognitive psychology

Intensive care unit

Psychiatry

Developmental psychology

Likert scale

Pediatrics

Neonatal nursing

Neonatal intensive care unit

Psychology

Nursing care

Checklist

Family medicine

Medicine

Intensive care

Egyptian Journal of Health Care

Background: The survivor rate of High-Risk Neonates (HRNs) is growing; however, thenumber of them who need to receive competent care at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) isincreasing. Competency in neonatal nursing has a direct effect on the health and safety of HRNs.The aim of the study was to assess nursing competency for caring of HRNs at NICU. Researchdesign: a descriptive research design. Settings: The study was carried out at NICU of Pediatric andMaternity Hospital affiliated to Ain Shams University. Subjects: all available neonatal nurses atprevious mentioned setting (n=60) and purposive sample included 30 HRNs who connected withmechanical ventilation. Tools: Pre-designed Questionnaire Sheet to assess nurses' knowledge aboutcare of HRNs on mechanical ventilation (MV), Competency Checklist to assess their competencylevel and modified Likert type scale to assess their attitude. Results: the study revealed that theslightly less than half of studied nurses had good knowledge and more than three quarters of themwere incompetent regarding to care of HRNs on MV. Meanwhile, slightly less than three quartershad positive attitude regarding care of HRNs on MV. There was a positive correlation betweennurses' knowledge and their competency and attitude. Conclusion: About three quarters of studiednurses were incompetent and had positive attitude regarding care of HRNs on MV, MeanwhileNearly half of them had good knowledge. Recommendation: Implement competency-basedtraining programs, relying on job training to raise the efficiency of nurses and Continuous evaluationof nurses' competency level.

Nursing Competency for Caring of High-Risk Neonates at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit