Researchers in China have developed a proposed core-competence assessment index for kidney transplantation nurse specialists, based on a two-phase study combining a literature review, semi-structured interviews with eight nurses and a two-round Delphi consultation with 17 experts. The resulting framework contains eight primary indicators, 19 secondary indicators and 62 tertiary indicators. It covers clinical professional knowledge, clinical practice skills, critical thinking, management, communication and collaboration, educational and guidance capacity, professional development and personal traits.

The study develops an assessment structure rather than demonstrating improved nursing care or patient outcomes, and the researchers state that clinical validation is still required. The first phase of the work was intended to establish an initial draft of the index. Researchers reviewed relevant literature and conducted semi-structured interviews with eight kidney transplantation nurses, whose experience helped inform the proposed indicators.

In the second phase, 17 experts participated in a Delphi consultation conducted over two rounds. The design combined published research, input from nurses working in the relevant clinical area and structured expert review. All 17 experts responded in the first consultation round, and the effective response rate in the second round was 94%.

The reported authority coefficients were 0.908 and 0.912 for the two rounds, respectively. Agreement among experts was assessed with Kendall’s W coefficients. For the primary-, secondary- and tertiary-level indicators, the coefficients were 0.355, 0.349 and 0.171 in the first round.

In the second round, they were 0.414, 0.250 and 0.211, respectively; all reported P values were below 0.001. The primary-level coefficient therefore rose between rounds, while the coefficients for the more detailed secondary and tertiary levels remained lower. The authors describe the completed index as scientifically grounded and potentially useful as a reference for training, assessment and management of kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China.

Its eight primary domains organize a broad set of professional capabilities, while the 19 secondary and 62 tertiary indicators specify those domains in greater detail.

Subject of Research: Development of a core-competence assessment index for kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China

Article Title: Constructing an index system of core competence assessment for kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China: a multi-method study

Article References: Wei, H., Feng, S., Zhao, X., Zhang, Y., Liu, S., Zhu, J., Li, Z., Jiang, X., Zhang, D., & Li, X. (2026). Constructing an index system of core competence assessment for kidney transplantation nurse specialists in China: a multi-method study. BMC Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-05549-0

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12912-026-05549-0

Keywords: kidney transplantation, specialist nursing, competency assessment, Delphi consultation, nursing education, clinical practice, expert consultation, health workforce, research methods, China, Constructing, index