Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40664372›Full record

ArticleJournal of advanced nursing2026

Nurse Educators' Background, Education, and Experience in Digital Competence Profiles: A Descriptive Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Four Countries.

Juha Pajari, Marjorita Sormunen, Leena Salminen, Imane Elonen, Miko Pasanen, Leandra Martin-Delgado, Michelle Camilleri, Andrea Sollárová, Elaine Haycock-Stuart, Terhi Saaranen

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of advanced nursing, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Juha PajariDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3803-704X
Marjorita SormunenInstitute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6330-5176
Leena SalminenDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9730-5331
Imane ElonenDepartment of Nursing Science, University of Turku, Turku, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7020-4891
Miko PasanenDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1637-5064
Leandra Martin-DelgadoDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Universitat Internacional De Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6883-6144
Michelle CamilleriDepartment of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta, Malta.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8435-4954
Andrea SollárováDepartment of Nursing, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, Slovakia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6174-4797
Elaine Haycock-StuartNursing Studies, School of Health in Social Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0070-3019
Terhi SaaranenDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0883-6377

Funding

Erasmus+ [2020-1-FI01-KA203-066590]
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo identify and compare the digital competence profiles of nurse educators, the background variables associated with profiles, and the self-assessed level of digital competence in four European countries.

designA descriptive comparative cross-sectional study.

methodsData were collected from nurse educators (n = 263) in 36 nursing education organisations in Finland, Malta, Slovakia and Spain. Partitioning around medoids (PAM) clustering was used to identify competence groups, and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to examine the association of nurse educators' background variables.

resultsThe clustering analysis resulted in two nurse educator digital competence profile groups: high and moderate. The profiles differed based on completed pedagogical studies and teaching experience, with an emphasis on the high competence profile. Educators in the high competence profile group showed greater interest in using educational technology and self assessed their digital competence at a higher level compared to educators in the moderate competence profile group. Nurse educators' lowest digital competence was in the safe and responsible use of technology, such as knowing copyright laws.

conclusionDespite the heterogeneous background of nurse educators, international continuing professional development needs in digital competence are identified. Nurse educators' continuing education should support the utilisation of technology through pedagogical approaches, and educators' competence in the safe and responsible use of technology (e.g., how to protect digital materials) must be enhanced in nursing education organisations. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION: This study highlights the need to further develop nurse educators' digital competence. Continuing professional development should target preparation in safe and responsible technology use and include pedagogical studies and mentoring from experienced peers. REPORTING

methodThe STROBE checklist was adhered to in reporting the results. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Each participating educational organisation assigned a contact person to distribute the survey to the nurse educators.

Indexed as

Faculty, NursingProfessional CompetenceAdultCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleFinlandHumansMaleMaltaMiddle AgedSlovakiaSpaincluster analysiscompetencedigital technologyeducationnursing

Identifiers

PMID40664372
PMCPMC12994616

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.