Current status and influencing factors of digital competence among nurses in intensive care units: a cross-sectional study

Background Digital competence builds upon information literacy, extending and expanding it in the digital age. The ICU is characterized by complex, data-intensive environments and high clinical workload, making it a critical setting for the application of information technology. At the same time, the integration of nursing practice with digital tools and technologies is deepening, placing greater demands on ICU nurses' digital competence. Objective To investigate the digital competence of ICU nurses and analyze the relevant influencing factors, providing valuable insights for the development of personalized intervention strategies. Methods This study employed a cross-sectional design. From December 2024 to March 2025, a convenience sampling method was used to survey 576 ICU nurses in Shandong Province. Data were collected using general information questionnaires, the Digital Competence Scale, the Organizational Support Scale, and the Innovation Self-Efficacy Scale. Univariate analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to explore the factors influencing the digital competence of ICU nurses. Results The total score on the Digital Competence Scale was 48.58 ± 7.02, with an average item score of 4.08 ± 0.73. Innovation self-efficacy (r = 0.472, P < 0.001) and organizational support (r = 0.319, P < 0.001) were significantly positively correlated with digital competence. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that gender, whether the nurse had received relevant information technology training, innovation self-efficacy, and organizational support were significant factors influencing digital competence among clinical nurses (P < 0.01). Conclusion Although ICU nurses demonstrate a positive attitude toward digital technologies, there remains a significant gap in their practical skills and knowledge application. With the increasing use of digital tools in healthcare, enhancing ICU nurses' digital skills is crucial for improving nursing quality and patient outcomes. Future research should focus on long-term digital competence development programs and explore additional factors influencing the practical application of these skills, further advancing the digital transformation of clinical nursing practice.