Influence of Emergency Department Nurses' Grit, Self-Leadership, and Communication on Their Triage Competencies: A Descriptive Survey Study

Abstract

Purpose: The triage process in the emergency department is a complex decision-making task influenced by individual competence and a multitude of factors. Unlike patient-related factors, nurse-related factors can be improved through education. This study sought to determine the impact of grit, self-leadership, and communication skills of emergency department nurses on their triage competency. Methods: We surveyed a convenience sample of 152 emergency department nurses to evaluate their grit, self-leadership, communication skills, and triage competency. The differences in these skills and competencies were analyzed according to the participants' general characteristics using the independent t-test and one-way analysis of variance. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed to identify the factors influencing nurses' triage competency. Results: Triage experience, self-leadership, and communication skills influenced triage competency. Although triage competency can be positively impacted by knowledge gained from experience, expert assessment was identified as the least developed category of triage competency. Conclusion: To improve nurses' triage competency, it is necessary to implement educational programs that utilize various methods to address self-leadership and communication skills. Moreover, reflective methods can be employed to help develop self-leadership, thereby improving triage competency. These findings can contribute to improving the work culture and the development of educational programs. Specifically, these programs should treat nurses' mistakes during work as learning opportunities rather than failures, thereby significantly advancing their competency. © 2023 Korean Society of Adult Nursing. All Rights Reserved.