Abstract: Objective To construct a core competence evaluation index system for public health nurses, and to provide reference for the cultivation of public health nurses suiting national conditions. Methods A core competency evaluation index system of public health nurses was initially developed through literature review and semi-structured interviews. Delphi method was used to conduct 2 rounds of correspondence inquiries among 18 experts, and the entries were revised, supplemented and deleted. The weight of index items at all levels was calculated by percentage weight method. Results The effective questionnaire recovery rate of the 2 rounds of expert consultation was 100%; the extraction rates of expert opinions 89% and 67%, respectively; expert authority coefficient 0.864, and the Kendall coordination coefficient ranged from 0.172 to 0.404 and from 0.198 to 0.422, respectively (both P<0.001). The final core competence evaluation index system for public health nurses consisted of 5 first-level indicators (basic public health practice ability, basic project management and implementation ability, emergency response ability of public health emergencies, epidemiological investigation ability, and leadership), 26 second-level and 79 third-level indicators. Conclusion The constructed evaluation index system of core competence of public health nurses is scientific and practical, and it is in line with China's national conditions. It provides reference for the cultivation of high-quality public health nursing talents in China in the future, and for the formulation of the transfer training programs and assessment standards of clinical nurses.

Key words: public health nurse, core competence, evaluation index, training, Delphi method