Development of managerial competency criteria scale of first-line nurse managers

This study aimed to define the managerial competencies required for candidates applying to the position of charge nursing, with the objective of enabling the efficiency and productivity management of competency-based nursing human resources. Furthermore, it sought to measure these competencies using a scale developed within the framework of specific criteria. The study constitutes a scale development project entitled "Managerial Competency Criteria Scale for First-Line Nurse Managers (MCCS-FLNM)". The research population consisted of nurses employed across all types of hospitals in Istanbul, categorized according to ownership. The sample comprised 1,361 nurses who met the established criteria, selected through a convenience sampling method aligned with literature recommendations. In the validity analyses of the 65-item MCCS-FLNM, face and content validity were initially assessed based on expert evaluations, with content validity tested using the Lawshe technique, resulting in a Content Validity Index (CVI) of 0.774. Subsequently, construct validity was examined through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA, n = 681) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA, n = 680), conducted on two randomly assigned sub-samples. In addition to factor analyses conducted to assess construct validity, evaluations of convergent and divergent validity were also performed. The MCCS-FLNM was finalized as a validated instrument with a four sub-dimensional factor model explaining 66.332% of the total variance. Reliability analyses demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.975). Item-total correlations ranged from r = 0.638 to 0.816 (p<0.001). Split-half reliability analyses yielded α1=0.952 and α2=0.947, with a split-half correlation of r = 0.968 and a Spearman-Brown coefficient of ρ = 0.984. Test-retest reliability analyses further indicated correlation coefficients ranging from r = 0.490 to 0.663 (p<0.001), confirming the temporal stability of the instrument. The MCCS-FLNM thus emerged as a highly reliable and consistent scale, capable of producing stable measurements over time. Based on the findings, the MCCS-FLNM has been introduced into the literature as a psychometrically valid and reliable measurement tool. In conclusion, to address the absence of consensus among institutions regarding appointment practices for the charge nursing position and to meet the needs of the field, managerial competency-based selection criteria have been standardized. The scale, developed upon objective selection criteria to facilitate the nomination and appointment of qualified candidates to this position, has been made available for use by all relevant stakeholders.