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Developing assessment of emergency nurse practitioner competence--a pilot study.
J Adv Nurs. 2005 May; 50(4):425-32.JA

Abstract

AIM

This paper reports a study evaluating baseline competence levels among Emergency Nurse Practitioners using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. The study also aimed to document change in competence over time and following an educational intervention.

BACKGROUND

Emergency Nurse Practitioners form an increasingly established part of the minor injury service workforce in the United Kingdom (UK). At present, there is no national requirement for them to undergo formal preparation, gain a formal qualification, have continuing professional development or revalidate. Given that it is certain that the use of these professionals to deliver unplanned emergency care will increase in the UK, skill maintenance and extension of skills need to be considered in order to ensure the continued delivery of a quality service. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations aim to test a wide range of knowledge and skills in an objective fashion and can be developed to serve a number of educational requirements.

METHODS

A competence assessment was planned using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. It was developed following questionnaire consultation with Emergency Nurse Practitioners and also in conjunction with Emergency Department specialists and experts in medical education. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination was piloted with Emergency Department junior doctors. Baseline Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment was conducted in 2001. An educational intervention followed and then a further Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment took place in 2002.

RESULTS

A total of 17 of 20 Emergency Nurse Practitioners consented to involvement in the study. Comparison of their performance showed a statistically significant overall improvement in performance between the two assessment periods (P < 0.05). Participant feedback on the experience of undertaking an Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment was very positive.

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment process worked well, and provides a framework for competence assessment that can be compared over time, between practitioners and between departments.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Mason S
Department of Emergency Medicine, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Trust, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK. s.mason@sheffield.ac.uk
Fletcher A
No affiliation info available
McCormick S
No affiliation info available
Perrin J
No affiliation info available
Rigby A
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Clinical CompetenceEducation, Nursing, ContinuingEducational MeasurementEmergenciesEmergency NursingEmergency Service, HospitalEmployee Performance AppraisalEnglandHumansNurse PractitionersPilot ProjectsProspective StudiesWounds and Injuries

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

15842450

Citation

Mason, Suzanne, et al. "Developing Assessment of Emergency Nurse Practitioner Competence--a Pilot Study." Journal of Advanced Nursing, vol. 50, no. 4, 2005, pp. 425-32.
Mason S, Fletcher A, McCormick S, et al. Developing assessment of emergency nurse practitioner competence--a pilot study. J Adv Nurs. 2005;50(4):425-32.
Mason, S., Fletcher, A., McCormick, S., Perrin, J., & Rigby, A. (2005). Developing assessment of emergency nurse practitioner competence--a pilot study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 50(4), 425-32.
Mason S, et al. Developing Assessment of Emergency Nurse Practitioner Competence--a Pilot Study. J Adv Nurs. 2005;50(4):425-32. PubMed PMID: 15842450.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Developing assessment of emergency nurse practitioner competence--a pilot study. AU - Mason,Suzanne, AU - Fletcher,Alan, AU - McCormick,Simon, AU - Perrin,Julie, AU - Rigby,Alan, PY - 2005/4/22/pubmed PY - 2005/7/22/medline PY - 2005/4/22/entrez SP - 425 EP - 32 JF - Journal of advanced nursing JO - J Adv Nurs VL - 50 IS - 4 N2 - AIM: This paper reports a study evaluating baseline competence levels among Emergency Nurse Practitioners using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. The study also aimed to document change in competence over time and following an educational intervention. BACKGROUND: Emergency Nurse Practitioners form an increasingly established part of the minor injury service workforce in the United Kingdom (UK). At present, there is no national requirement for them to undergo formal preparation, gain a formal qualification, have continuing professional development or revalidate. Given that it is certain that the use of these professionals to deliver unplanned emergency care will increase in the UK, skill maintenance and extension of skills need to be considered in order to ensure the continued delivery of a quality service. Objective Structured Clinical Examinations aim to test a wide range of knowledge and skills in an objective fashion and can be developed to serve a number of educational requirements. METHODS: A competence assessment was planned using an Objective Structured Clinical Examination. It was developed following questionnaire consultation with Emergency Nurse Practitioners and also in conjunction with Emergency Department specialists and experts in medical education. The Objective Structured Clinical Examination was piloted with Emergency Department junior doctors. Baseline Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment was conducted in 2001. An educational intervention followed and then a further Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment took place in 2002. RESULTS: A total of 17 of 20 Emergency Nurse Practitioners consented to involvement in the study. Comparison of their performance showed a statistically significant overall improvement in performance between the two assessment periods (P < 0.05). Participant feedback on the experience of undertaking an Objective Structured Clinical Examination assessment was very positive. CONCLUSIONS: The assessment process worked well, and provides a framework for competence assessment that can be compared over time, between practitioners and between departments. SN - 0309-2402 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/15842450/Developing_assessment_of_emergency_nurse_practitioner_competence__a_pilot_study_ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -