ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: As key members of interprofessional teams working in complex settings, nurses in trauma centers require trauma nursing core competency. PURPOSE: This study sought to determine the levels and relationships of the perceived importance and performance of trauma nursing core competency, as well as the interprofessional collaborative competency and associated barriers among Korean regional trauma center nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational survey involved a convenience sample of 190 Korean trauma center nurses. Data were collected using a web-based self-reporting questionnaire about the perceived importance and performance of trauma nursing core competency, as well as the interprofessional collaborative competency and associated barriers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression (Enter method) analyses. RESULTS: The perceived performance and importance of interprofessional collaborative competency, the perceived importance of trauma nursing core competency, and the perceived barriers to resources, training, competency, and interest significantly affected trauma nursing core competency performance, accounting for 64.5â¯% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: Training programs are needed to improve the core and interprofessional collaborative competencies of trauma nurses. Individual, team, and organizational approaches are essential to addressing the perceived barriers. The effects of training programs on the core competency of trauma nurses should be validated.