Objective  To investigate the current status of core competencies in responding to public health emergencies among nurses in emergency departments and explore the influencing factors.

  Methods  By convenience sampling method, the nurses in emergency departments of 5(top) 3A hospitals in Shandong Province were surveyed. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between core competencies in responding to public health emergencies and psychological quality, and the multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the influencing factors of core competencies in responding to public health emergencies.

  Results  The total score of core competencies in responding to public health emergencies of the 202 surveyed nurses in emergency departments was 128.23 ± 25.70. The scores for each dimension, from highest to lowest, were response and disposal capabilities, recovery and reconstruction capabilities, and prevention and preparation capabilities, respectively. The total score of psychological quality was 124.97 ± 16.16, with the lowest score in the dimension of cognitive abilities and the highest score in the dimension of professional abilities. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the total score and dimension scores of core competencies in responding to public health emergencies were moderately positively correlated with the total score and dimension scores of psychological quality in public health emergencies(r=0.307-0.431, P < 0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that compared with nurses aged ≤ 25 years old, nurses aged ≥ 41 years old had an increased core competency score of 12.664 points(P < 0.05); compared with nurses with a junior college degree or below, nurses with a bachelor's degree or above had an increased core competency score of 8.816 points(P < 0.05); compared with nurses who were completely satisfied with their work, nurses with average job satisfaction had a decreased score of 8.493 points(P < 0.05); In terms of the dimensions of psychological quality, for every 1 point increase in the dimensions of personality traits, psychological motivation, and professional abilities, the public health emergency response nursing core competency scores increased by 2.132, 3.392, and 6.184 points, respectively(P < 0.05).

  Conclusions  The core competencies in responding to public health emergencies among nurses in emergency departments were at a moderately high level and need to be improved. Age, education level, job satisfaction, and psychological quality related to public health emergencies could affect core competencies. Nursing management departments should take corresponding measures, in terms of reasonable salary and benefits, cultural building, and cultivation of psychological quality, to enhance the core competencies of emergency department nurses in responding to public health emergencies.