Title : Community health nursing in Oman: Competencies, learning needs, and practice challenges
Abstract:
Background: Community Health Nurses (CHNs) play an important role in promoting health, preventing illness, and addressing community health needs. However, limited evidence is available on their current competencies, learning needs, and challenges in Oman. This study aimed to explore these areas among CHNs working in primary healthcare settings.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among CHNs in Oman. Data were collected through an online questionnaire based on the Canadian Community Health Nursing Standards of Practice (2019), covering eight competency domains. Nurses rated how frequently they performed each activity and their perceived need for training. An open-ended question was also included to identify challenges faced by CHNs. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-tests, and Pearson’s correlation.
Results: Seventy-two CHNs participated in the study. Nurses reported stronger practice in Evidence-Informed Practice, Professional Responsibility and Accountability, and Health Promotion, while Prevention and Health Protection and Health Equity were less consistently practiced. Professional Responsibility and Accountability had the greatest perceived training need. Participants also highlighted staffing shortages, workload, limited protected time, inadequate resources, and insufficient organizational support as important challenges.
Conclusion: CHNs in Oman have a good foundation for practice, but their ability to contribute fully to population health may be limited by both professional development needs and workplace conditions. Strengthening continuing education alongside supportive organizational environments, adequate resources, and clearer CHN roles can help nurses contribute more effectively to prevention, health equity, and primary healthcare, supporting the goals of Oman Vision 2040.
Keywords: Community Health Nursing, Nursing competencies, Primary Healthcare, Challenges, Learning needs, Oman.
