Objective To investigate the current status of involution perception and job competence of online booking nurse and to explore their correlation, providing a basis for improving their job competence of online booking nurses.

Methods From February to April 2024, 233 online booking nurses in three tertiary general hospitals in Nantong were selected using the convenience sampling method, and a questionnaire was conducted using a general information questionnaire, the Perceived Involutive Effort Scale, and the Online Booking Nurse Competency Questionnaire. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze the factors influencing the job competence of these online booking nurses.

Results A total of 218 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 93.6%. The involution perception score of 218 nurses was (71.23 ±10.02), with higher involution perception scores (all P < 0.05) among nurses with higher education levels, longer working years, contractual mode of employment, pervious experience of disputation with patients and/or their families, and registered certificate in specialist nurse. The total job competence score of 218 nurses was (155.63 ±34.11). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that, online booking nurses with a master or higher degree had 3.056 points increase in job competence scores compared to these with college education (P < 0.05); nurses with specialized qualifications had 4.003 points increase in job competence scores compared to those without specialized nursing qualifications (P < 0.05); nurses participating in professional training more than five times had 0.278 points increase in job competence scores compared to these participating training fewer than three times (P < 0.05); nurses providing more than ten times home service per month had 5.319 points increase in job competence scores compared to these providing service less than five times (P < 0.05). Involution perception was a negative predictor of job competence for online booking nurses, with each one-point increase in involution perception corresponding to a 3.042-point decrease in job competence scores (P < 0.05).

Conclusions The involution level of online booking nurses in Nantong was relatively high and negatively impacted their job competence. Their job competence needs to be further improved. Attention should be paid to their work status, and active measures should be taken to alleviate psychological pressure, focusing on professional training to improve their job competence.