Abstract:

Objective To investigate the current status of core competencies in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation（ECMO） nursing among ICU nurses in tertiary grade-A hospitals across China’s seven major regions （North China，Northeast China，East China，Central China，South China，Southwest China，and Northwest China），and to analyze the influencing factors. Methods Using a convenience sampling method，462 ICU nurses from 26 tertiary hospitals were assessed from September 2023 to October 2024. Data collection instruments included a demographic questionnaire and a self-developed ECMO Nursing Core Competency Scale. Competency scores were described using median （interquartile range），both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression model were em-ployed to identify influencing factors. Results The median total score of ECMO nursing core competencies was 216（190，242）. After standardized conversion，professional development competency（75.24%） and nursing management competency（77.00%） demonstrated the lowest attainment rates. Key influencing factors included years of ECMO nursing experience（β=0.149），completion of systematic ECMO training（β=0.144），nursing ladder（β=0.532），number of independent ECMO cases managed（β=0.165），and nurse manager status（β=0.128），collectively explaining 19% of variance（adjusted R²=0.190，P<0.001）. Conclusion ECMO nursing competencies among ICU nurses in Chinese tertiary hospitals exhibit multidimensional imbalance，maintaining an intermediate overall level with notable deficiencies in professional development and management domains. In the future，guided by the standardized training and hierarchical certification system of the Global Guidelines for Extracorporeal Life Support Organizations，a specialized development path based on evidence-based training system，guided by clinical practice，and supported by hierarchical management of abilities can be constructed. At the same time，the empowerment of nursing management functions in multidisciplinary teams can be optimized，to systematically enhance the quality of ECMO nursing.

Key words: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, ECMO, ICU Nurses, Core Competencies, Influencing Factors Analysis