Training Intention and Latent Profiles of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Nursing Competency: Associated Factors Identified via Latent Profile Analysis

Objective To assess the overall level of self-assessed maturity of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) nursing competency among clinical nurses, identify latent profiles, and examine factors associated with profile membership. Methods From January to October 2024, a cross-sectional survey was conducted at a tertiary Grade A hospital in China. Eligible nurses were recruited through hospital-wide questionnaire distribution and voluntary participation. A total of 457 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Data were collected using the “Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing Competency Questionnaire” and a TCM-nursing staff training needs questionnaire. Latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to classify competency maturity profiles, and multinomial logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors. Results Overall maturity of TCM nursing competency was moderate. Scores were higher for TCM nursing techniques but lower for advanced clinical practice, indicating relatively limited advanced-practice and integrative application capacity. LPA supported a three-profile solution (entropy = 0.846): Developing (12.3%), Transitional (64.3%), and Mature (23.4%) profiles. Profiles differed in years of service, professional title, educational attainment, intention to participate in training, and perceived importance of training (p < 0.05). In multinomial logistic regression, lower educational attainment, weaker intention to participate in training, and lower perceived importance of training were associated with membership in lower-maturity profiles; professional title was significant in selected comparisons, whereas years of service was not independently associated after adjustment. Conclusions Self-assessed TCM nursing competency maturity among clinical nurses shows a stratified profile pattern dominated by a Transitional group, with advanced clinical practice as a relative weakness. Profile-informed, tiered development and targeted training—emphasizing contextualized practice and translation of competencies into clinical practice—may be warranted. These associations should be further verified in longitudinal or intervention studies.