Journal of Isfahan Medical School

Journal of Isfahan Medical School

A Mixed-Methods Protocol for Examining Holistic Nursing Competence In Nursing Practice: An Explanatory Sequential Mixed-Methods Research Protocol

Document Type : Original Article(s)

Authors
Malihe Kabusi 1
Homeira Khoddam 2
Somayeh Ghorbani 3
Shohreh Kolagari 2
1 PhD Student in Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
2 Professor, Department of Nursing, Nursing Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
3 Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Cancer Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
10.48305/jims.v44.i863.0779
Abstract
Background: Holistic nursing competence is a multidimensional construct. This study will first quantitatively measure the level of holistic nursing competence among Iranian nurses, and then qualitatively explore the perceptions and contextual experiences underlying the measured levels. Materials and Methods: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods design will be employed and conducted in two phases. Phase one consists of a quantitative cross-sectional study. In this phase, 170 nurses will be selected using multistage sampling from hospitals affiliated with Golestan University of Medical Sciences, based on inclusion criteria. Data will be collected using a Persian version of the Holistic Nursing Competence Scale, translated and validated in the present study. Quantitative data analysis will be performed using descriptive and inferential statistics in SPSS version 23. In the qualitative phase, a directed content analysis approach will explore nurses’ perceptions of holistic nursing competence. Participants will be purposively selected, and data collected through semi-structured interviews until saturation. Qualitative analysis will follow the Elo and Kyngäs framework and use MAXQDA. Results: The quantitative phase is expected to determine the level of holistic nursing competence among participating nurses, while the qualitative findings will provide deeper insight into the meaning associated with this competence. Integration of findings is expected to yi
Keywords
Competence
holistic nursing
explanatory sequential mixed study
mixed study
Subjects
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Journal of Isfahan Medical School
Volume 44, Issue 863
3rd Week, July
July and August 2026
Pages 779-787

  • Receive Date 21 June 2026
  • Accept Date 12 July 2026