{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,10,1]],"date-time":"2026-10-01T13:01:03Z","timestamp":1790859663260,"version":"4.1.0"},"reference-count":54,"publisher":"Wiley","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781827200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-nd\/4.0\/"},{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1781827200000},"content-version":"tdm","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/doi.wiley.com\/10.1002\/tdm_license_1.1"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004763","name":"Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["2023QN08045"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["2023QN08045"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004763","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["onlinelibrary.wiley.com"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Journal of Clinical Nursing"],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2026,11]]},"abstract":"ABSTRACT<\/jats:title>\n \n Background<\/jats:title>\n Infection prevention and control (IPC) nursing plays a central role in implementing IPC standards and preventing healthcare\u2010associated infections. However, a unified core competency framework for IPC nursing roles has yet to be clearly defined.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Aim<\/jats:title>\n This study aimed to identify and synthesise the core competencies required for IPC nurses, including infection control nurses (ICNs) and infection control link nurses (ICLNs). It also examined how these competencies differ according to role responsibilities and explored patterns of association among competency domains.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Design<\/jats:title>\n A scoping review with cluster analysis.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Methods<\/jats:title>\n This scoping review followed a five\u2010stage methodological framework, including identifying the research questions, identifying relevant sources, selecting sources, charting the data and collating, summarising and reporting the results. Based on this process, we conducted high\u2010frequency term analysis and cluster analysis to identify the core competency structure.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Results<\/jats:title>\n This review included 18 sources, from which 40 high\u2010frequency terms were extracted and nine core competency domains were identified. Cluster analysis grouped these domains into three clusters: system\u2010supporting and developmental competencies, IPC in clinical practice and microbiology and surveillance. When compared with the World Health Organization framework, these domains showed overall alignment while also revealing additional domains of importance, such as research competence and personal quality. ICNs placed greater emphasis on surveillance, leadership, education and programme management, whereas ICLNs focused more on clinical practice and communication.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n This study systematically mapped IPC nursing competencies into nine domains and three functional clusters, distinguishing role\u2010specific profiles for ICNs and ICLNs. The findings can inform role\u2010specific competency framework development and more targeted IPC education and workforce preparation.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Highlights<\/jats:title>\n \n \n \n This scoping review synthesised competency evidence for ICNs and ICLNs.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:list-item>\n \n Three competency clusters were identified: system\u2010supporting and development, IPC clinical practice and microbiology and surveillance.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:list-item>\n \n The findings support the development of role\u2010specific competency frameworks, assessment tools and training programmes for infection control nursing roles.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:list-item>\n <\/jats:list>\n <\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Implications for Practice<\/jats:title>\n Findings from this study suggest that strengthening analytical, clinical, and system\u2010level IPC competencies may enhance the effectiveness of infection prevention efforts in daily practice. Targeted competency development appears feasible, though further research is needed to design and evaluate integrated interventions.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Impact<\/jats:title>\n The findings suggest that IPC competencies should be developed with attention to the distinct requirements of analytical, clinical, and system\u2010level work. Healthcare organizations may enhance IPC performance by providing targeted training in surveillance, supporting frontline implementation, and strengthening mechanisms that connect managerial activities with bedside practice. Integrating these strategies may help improve the consistency and impact of infection prevention efforts.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>\n \n Reporting Method<\/jats:title>\n PRISMA\u2010ScR.<\/jats:p>\n <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1111\/jocn.70410","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]],"date-time":"2026-06-19T13:01:21Z","timestamp":1781874081000},"page":"4648-4661","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Core Competencies of Nurses Working in Hospital Infection Prevention and Control: A Scoping Review and Cluster Analysis"],"prefix":"10.1111","volume":"35","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0000-8221-7331","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ge","family":"Bai","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Business Administration European University Cyprus Nicosia Cyprus"},{"name":"Department of Nursing Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital Hohhot Inner Mongolia China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Andreas","family":"Efstathiades","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Business Administration European University Cyprus Nicosia Cyprus"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yanli","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nursing Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital Hohhot Inner Mongolia China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Ruifang","family":"Liu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Nursing Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region People's Hospital Hohhot Inner Mongolia China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"311","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,19]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_11_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1186\/s13756\u2010025\u201001608\u20104"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_3_1","unstructured":"American Association of Colleges of Nursing.2008.\u201cThe Essentials of Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice.\u201dAccessed November 1 2025.https:\/\/www.aacnnursing.org\/portals\/42\/publications\/baccessentials08.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_4_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_5_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.12138\/j.issn.1671\u20109638.20244583"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/nhs.12998"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ajic.2008.05.017"},{"key":"e_1_2_11_8_1","unstructured":"Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology Inc (CBIC).2012.\u201cCertification in Infection Prevention and Control Candidate Handbook.\u201dAccessed October 15 2024.http:\/\/www.cbic.org\/UserFiles\/file\/2012CandidateHandbook_v1.pdf."},{"key":"e_1_2_11_9_1","volume-title":"A Process Model for Developing Content for Certification Programmers: The Case of Infection Control Nurses in Hong Kong","author":"Chan W. 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