Development, Implementation, and Validation of a Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Competency Framework in the United Arab Emirates
Muneer, Ahmad; Hossany, Ashick¹; Marden, Michelle¹; Arnold, Jane¹; Walker, Helen¹; Moriarty, Jenny¹; Shitta, Anu¹; Meehan, Jennifer¹; Neil, Claire²; Forbes, David¹
¹ Maudsley Health, Al Amal Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE
² Independent Consultant, UK
This project presents the development, implementation, and validation of the first Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing Competency Framework (PMHNCM) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), designed for Maudsley Health at Psychiatric Mental Health Hospital,. The initiative addresses a critical gap in the regional mental health workforce by establishing standardized, evidence-based benchmarks for psychiatric nursing competence aligned with international standards yet tailored to the UAE’s unique cultural and clinical environment.
The framework’s development followed a rigorous sequential mixed-methods approach, beginning with a systematic review of global nursing competency models to identify best practices and core domains. These findings informed a modified three-round Delphi process involving expert psychiatric nurses and educators to achieve consensus on essential competencies across cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. The resulting model delineates clear expectations for both registered and advanced practice nurses, emphasizing areas such as trauma-informed care, ethical decision-making, communication, cultural competence, and leadership.
Following its creation, the PMHNCM was implemented through a structured pilot educational intervention involving 50 nurses. This included didactic learning, simulation-based practice, and Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) to measure skill integration. A comprehensive validation phase assessed pre- and post-intervention outcomes using self-assessment surveys, clinical audits (e.g., restraint use, medication error rates), patient satisfaction data, and 360-degree performance appraisals.
Preliminary findings revealed significant gaps between self-perceived and observed competence, particularly in leadership and decision-making, highlighting the urgent need for formalized competency structures in psychiatric nursing. The validated PMHNCM is expected to enhance clinical quality, professional accountability, and patient-centered outcomes, while also contributing to policy development, accreditation processes, and continuing professional education within the UAE’s mental health sector.
Ultimately, this work establishes a replicable and adaptable model for psychiatric nursing competency assessment across the Gulf region and beyond, offering a blueprint for embedding culturally responsive, evidence-based nursing standards in specialized healthcare environments.
