VISION OF NURSES WORKING. VISION WITH DISABLED CHILDREN ABOUT THEIR PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

The nurse's work with children with disabilities requires narrowly profiled knowledge to ensure adequate medical and health care for children in the process of deinstitutionalization. Purpose: The purpose of the research is to establish the attitudes of nurses regarding the increase of their professional competence for working with children with disabilities in the process of deinstitutionalization. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted of 109 nurses working in medical and social care homes (HMSCC) in the cities of Burgas and Stara Zagora. For this purpose, a questionnaire consisting of 34 questions of open and closed type was developed. Results: The survey found 68% of respondents believed that a nurse should have a continuous drive to learn new knowledge about caring for children with disabilities. The respondents (75%) indicate that dealing with emergency situations is a mandatory professional competence for those working with children with disabilities, another 55% consider that the ability to emotionally assess the child's condition is very important when performing their professional activity. The respondents considered that a personal contribution of the nurse (outside of professional duties) is necessary for the improvement of care for children with disabilities [t(107) = 5.814; p-level < 0.001]. Conclusion: The survey found a positive attitude of the respondents to participate in postgraduate studies. The respondents express a desire to become involved as trainers of parents to provide real knowledge and skills in order to deal with and solve the child's health problems that arise at home.