An Action Plan to Facilitate the Transfer of Pain Management Competencies Among Nurses

In response to persistent gaps in pain management competencies among nurses in Saudi Arabian teaching hospitals and similar healthcare settings globally, this manuscript presents a developed and validated action plan designed to support the effective transfer of pain management competencies into clinical practice. The action plan was developed to address the critical need for structured, practical strategies that enhance nurses' ability to apply pain management knowledge in diverse interdisciplinary environments. The action plan was validated through a rigorous three-round e-Delphi technique involving 12 expert panel members, achieving a 75% consensus on its content and structure. The final validated plan includes clear action statements, implementation methods, designated responsibilities, and defined timeframes. The core action statements focus on the following: (i) motivating nurses to pursue further study; (ii) equipping nursing teams with appropriate pain management tools; (iii) developing content-specific, practice-oriented short training programs; (iv) tailoring training to accommodate different learning styles; (v) using diverse teaching methods; (vi) creating strategies to encourage participation in training; and (vii) promoting the application of acquired knowledge in clinical settings. Adoption and implementation of this action plan by nursing leadership are anticipated to significantly enhance the transfer of pain management competencies, ultimately improving patient outcomes. The plan is adaptable for use in similar healthcare settings worldwide, offering a replicable model for strengthening nursing practice through targeted competency development.