This study explored nurses’ perceptions of the core competencies required for providing postresuscitation care in both in-hospital and out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Qualitative conventional content analysis.

17 nurses selected with purposeful sampling method.

Three educational hospitals in northwest of Iran.

Semi-structured interviews were used for data collection and they were analysed using conventional content analysis.

Seven main categories have emerged from the data. The core competencies for nurses providing postresuscitation were identified as: quality assurance, providing evidence-based care, monitoring and presence, situation management, professionalism, positive attitude and providing family centred care.

The postresuscitation period is a unique and critical time requiring highly competent nursing care. Several core competencies for providing high-quality nursing care during postresuscitation period were identified through nurses’ experience in caring for patients postresuscitation.