Trauma is a major cause of mortality and disability worldwide [1], [2]. As trauma patients are at a high risk of death, it is critical to assess and manage them promptly [3]. Trauma centers, which provide 24-hour emergency care, are staffed with various healthcare professionals, who quickly attend to trauma patients with the aim of improving performance and reducing preventable deaths [4]. The trauma system refers to a comprehensive system of care for trauma patients with a focus on early treatment at the scene, transfer to an appropriate trauma center, rapid trauma treatment at the hospital, and rehabilitation [3], [5]. The establishment of a national trauma system is associated with significant improvements in the provision and outcomes of trauma care [3], [5]. Korea has 16 government-supported regional trauma centers and healthcare professionals are crucial for the prompt transport and treatment of trauma patients [3], [5]. Trauma nurses, who are part of the team of healthcare professionals at trauma units, are required to have optimal competency to provide safe, timely, and effective care for trauma patients.

Trauma nursing core competency (TNCC) refers to the ability of trauma nurses to perform practical tasks for trauma patients in trauma environment, including prehospital treatment, resuscitation, stabilization, supportive care, rehabilitation, and return to society [6]. The attainment of optimal competency confers trauma nurses with a professional self-concept and also positively affects patients’ outcomes [7], [8]. Studies have shown that TNCC in family nurse practitioners [9], orthopedic and trauma nurses [10], and trauma nurses [11], [12], [13] nurtures competent trauma nurses and improves the quality of care given to trauma patients.

Nurses are key members of the trauma center team. Given the complexity of trauma care, trauma nurses require skills in professional nursing, integrated thinking, and care coordination [14]. Interprofessional collaborative competency is achieved through active and ongoing collaboration between healthcare professionals from different cultures, fields of knowledge, and backgrounds [15]. Such collaboration is essential in healthcare because it can improve the quality of care [16]. In addition, comprehensive trauma nursing education improves nurse satisfaction as well as the financial aspects of hospital operations [17]. Interprofessional collaborative competency also positively impacts healthcare staff and patients [15], [16]. Despite the importance of interprofessional collaboration, few studies have investigated how nurses perceive interprofessional collaborative competency [18], [19] and related barriers [20].

Competency development can be affected by work experience, the nursing environment, educational level, professionalism, critical thinking, and personal factors [21]. Nursing competency can be influenced by demographic and professional variables, including those related to the work environment [22]. To promote nursing core competencies, it is important to address barriers to their achievement, as well as opportunities and motivation [20], [23]. Previous studies have reported deficiencies in competency awareness [24], knowledge [25], [26], [27], and skills among trauma nurses [26]. The lack of competency among trauma nurses can result from inadequacies in education, training opportunities [26], or work experience [6], [12]. However, competency scores have not been observed to vary based on nurses’ clinical experience [28]. The identification of barriers to competency will be a valuable step toward the development of competency among trauma nurses.

The system of trauma nursing core competency is well-defined [10], [12], [13]. It is necessary to ensure that trauma nurses have optimal competency to provide the required interventions safely and effectively, with adherence to trauma care guidelines [29], [30], [31]. Despite the importance of optimal competency among trauma nurses, research on certain areas of TNCC and interprofessional collaborative competency is limited. This study sought to identify the levels and relationships between the perceived importance and performance of TNCC and interprofessional collaborative competency, as well as perceived barriers in Korean regional trauma center nurses.