Abstract: Objective: To investigate the retraining needs of specialist nurses in Shanxi province based on their post competencies, providing a reference for the development of a retraining system for specialist nurses. Methods: A cluster sampling method was employed to recruit 1419 specialist nurses from 11 cities in Shanxi province as the research participants in March 2023. Based on scores from the Post Competency Self-Rating Scale for Specialist Nurses, cluster analysis was used to categorize different types of post competencies. The Specialist Nurse Retraining Needs Questionnaire was utilized to analyze the retraining needs of nurses with varying competency types. Results: A total of 99.4% of specialist nurses exhibited a positive attitude towards retraining, with "more than 48 hours (over six days)" being the most preferred training duration and "once a year" as the desired frequency. Statistically significant differences were found in retraining participation, reasons for participation, training formats, and learning content among nurses with different competency types (P<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences in retraining learning content were observed among specialist nurses working in oncology, intensive care units, operating rooms, and blood purification, depending on their competency types (P<0.05). Conclusion: There is heterogeneity in the competency level of specialist nurses and there is still room for improvement. It is necessary to carry out targeted retraining according to the specific needs of specialist nurses with different competency types and different professional directions, so as to promote the consolidation and improvement of specialist nurses' knowledge and skills.

Key words: specialist nurses; retraining; post competency; needs; cluster analysis; questionnaires