Professional competence of nurses in emergency services: evidence of content validity

ABSTRACT Objective: To verify the evidence of content validity of the Identifying Issues (Identification questions) elaborated from the theoretical-logical model of the Matrix and the Profile of Professional Competence of the emergency nurse. Method: Descriptive and methodological study of a quantitative approach with a psychometric reference as a precursor in the elaboration of a measurement instrument for the evaluation of competencies. The study was conducted in 2013 in Brazil, with a national sample of nurses specialized in emergency services and/or with professional competence in the area. Three stages were considered: questionnaire development; data collection with Delphi, appropriate statistics for Likert; and interpretative analysis of the comments/suggestions of the analyzed issues. Results: Delphi was used in four stages. There were minor adjustments to the content and inclusion of a new Competence. They obtained 90% of Score Percentage and 98.61 of Content Validity Index. Conclusion: There was consensus among the experts and the research demonstrated evidence of content validity, suggesting pertinence and adequacy to represent the constructs of competencies.