Effects of Critical Thinking Disposition, Clinical Judgement, and Nurse–Physician Collaboration on Triage Competency Among Triage Nurses

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between critical thinking disposition, clinical judgement, nurse-physician collaboration, and triage competency among triage nurses and to identify the factors influencing triage competency. <b>Methods</b>: This descriptive survey study included 152 triage nurses from one tertiary and six general hospitals. Data were collected from 1 September to 1 November 2023 and analysed using SPSS 29.0. <b>Results</b>: Triage competency was positively correlated with critical thinking disposition (<i>r</i> = 0.55, <i>p</i> < 0.001) and clinical judgement (<i>r</i> = 0.61, <i>p</i> < 0.001), while it was negatively correlated with nurse-physician collaboration (<i>r</i> = -0.52, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The hierarchical regression analysis showed that five variables, critical thinking disposition, clinical judgement, nurse-physician collaboration, education level, and years of experience in the emergency department, significantly influenced triage competency. The explanatory power of these variables for triage competency was 63.7% (F = 27.52, <i>p</i> < 0.001). <b>Conclusions</b>: Based on the findings, increasing the level of cooperation and fostering more cooperative relationships between nurses and physicians are necessary measures to improve their triage competency.