Enhancing nursing competence in China: The interplay of resilience, mindfulness and social support.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To address the nursing crisis, it is imperative to comprehend the factors that influence nursing competencies, which are crucial for the delivery of quality patient care. BACKGROUND: Facing demographic shifts and increasingly complex healthcare demands, China's nursing sector struggles with workforce shortages and the need to enhance core competencies. This research explores the interplay of social support, psychological resilience, mindfulness and nursing competencies in various hospital environments in China. METHODS: Through a cross-sectional survey, 941 nurses across tertiary, secondary and private healthcare settings completed self-assessment questionnaires. The analysis included multiple linear regression and comparative methods to assess how psychological resilience, mindfulness and social support have an impact on nursing competencies. RESULTS: Findings revealed a strong relationship between psychological resilience and nursing competencies, with resilience being a key predictor. Mindfulness and social support also significantly contributed to competency levels. Nurses in tertiary hospitals showed greater competencies than those in secondary or private facilities. CONCLUSION: Enhancing nursing competencies requires targeted interventions focusing on professional development and supportive workplace cultures. Incorporating psychological resilience, social support and mindfulness into nurse training is crucial for improving practice and policy.