Continuing Competence in Nursing

Continuing Competence in Nursing What is continuing competence? Why is continuing competence important? How do you evaluate continuing competence?

What is Continuing Competence?

ANA Standards of Professional Nursing Practice Standards of Practice Standards of Professional Performance

Standards of Practice 1. Assessment 2. Diagnosis 3. Outcomes Identification 4. Planning 5. Implementation 6. Evaluation

Standards of Professional Performance 7. Ethics 8. Education 9. Evidence-Based Practice and Research 10. Quality or Practice 11. Communication 12. Leadership 13. Collaboration 14. Professional Practice Evaluation 15. Resource Utilization 16. Environmental Health

8. Education The registered nurse attains knowledge and competency that reflects current nursing practice. The registered nurse: ● Participates in ongoing educational activities related to appropriate knowledge bases and professional issues.

8. Education cont’d ● Demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning through self-reflection and inquiry to address learning and personal growth needs. ● Seeks experiences that reflect current practice to maintain knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment in clinical practice or role performance.

8. Education cont’d ● Acquires knowledge and skills appropriate to the role, population, specialty, setting, role, or situation. ● Seeks formal and independent learning experiences to develop and maintain clinical and professional skills and knowledge.

8. Education cont’d ● Identifies learning needs based on nursing knowledge, the various roles the nurse may assume, and the changing needs of the population. ● Participates in formal or informal consultations to address issues in nursing practice as an application of education and a knowledge base.

8. Education cont’d ● Shares educational findings, experiences, and ideas with peers. ● Contributes to a work environment conducive to the education of healthcare professionals. ● Maintains professional records that provide evidence of competence and lifelong learning.

9. Evidence-Based Practice and Research The registered nurse integrates evidence and research findings into practice. The registered nurse: ● Utilizes current evidence-based nursing knowledge, including research findings, to guide practice.

9. Evidence-Based Practice and Research cont’d ● Incorporates evidence when initiating changes in nursing practice. ● Participates, as appropriate to education level and position, in the formulation of evidence-based practice through research. ● Shares personal or third-party research findings with colleagues and peers.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates her or his own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations. The registered nurse: ● Provides age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate care in a culturally and ethnically sensitive manner.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Engages in self-evaluation of practice on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas in which professional growth would be beneficial. ● Obtains informal feedback regarding her or his own practice from healthcare consumers, peers, professional colleagues, and others. ● Participates in peer review as appropriate.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Takes action to achieve goals identified during the evaluation process. ● Provides the evidence for practice decisions and actions as part of the informal and formal evaluation processes.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Interacts with peers and colleagues to enhance her or his own professional nursing practice or role performance. ● Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback regarding their practice or role performance.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULES OF MONTANA NURSING 24.159.2102 Subchapter 21 Renewals and Continuing Education

Administrative Rules cont’d 24.159.2101 STANDARDS FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION (1)Continuing education for nurses is formal training that: (a) provides new knowledge and skills to assist with advanced clinical decision making; (b) offers greater depth of knowledge and skills in a particular area of nursing role or practice; (c) enhances professional attitudes and behaviors;

Administrative Rules cont’d (d) advances career goals; (e) promotes professional development and currency in nursing practice; (f) supports innovation and creativity in nursing practice; (g) implements change within the individual's nursing practice and within healthcare; or (h) addresses new and developing standards of nursing practice.

Why Is Continuing Competence Important?

ANA Nursing Code of Ethics Provision 5: The nurse owes the same duties to self as to others, including the responsibility to preserve integrity and safety, to maintain competence, and to continue personal and professional growth.

Nursing Code of Ethic cont’d 5.2 Professional growth and maintenance of competence – Though it has consequences for others, maintenance of competence and ongoing professional growth involves the control of one’s own conduct in a way that is primarily self-regarding. Competence affects one’s self-respect, self-esteem, professional status, and the meaningfulness of work.

Nursing Code of Ethic cont’d In all nursing roles, evaluation of one’s own performance, coupled with peer review, is a means by which nursing practice can be held to the highest standards. Each nurse is responsible for participating in the development of criteria for evaluation of practice and for using those criteria in peer and self-assessment.

Nursing Code of Ethic cont’d Continual professional growth, particularly in knowledge and skill, requires a commitment to lifelong learning. Such learning includes, but is not limited to, continuing education, networking with professional colleagues, self-study, professional reading, certification, and seeking advanced degrees.

Nursing Code of Ethic cont’d Nurses are required to have knowledge relevant to the current scope and standards of nursing practice, changing issues, concerns, controversies, and ethics. Where the care required is outside the competencies of the individual nurse, consultation should be sought or the patient should be referred to others for appropriate care.

How Do You Evaluate Continuing Competence?

Tools Nursing Professional Development Planner A tool to assist in evaluating your nursing practice

Video Clips

14. Professional Practice Evaluation The registered nurse evaluates her or his own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and guidelines, relevant statutes, rules, and regulations. The registered nurse: ● Provides age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate care in a culturally and ethnically sensitive manner.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Engages in self-evaluation of practice on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength as well as areas in which professional growth would be beneficial. ● Obtains informal feedback regarding her or his own practice from healthcare consumers, peers, professional colleagues, and others.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Participates in peer review as appropriate. ● Takes action to achieve goals identified during the evaluation process. ● Provides the evidence for practice decisions and actions as part of the informal and formal evaluation processes.

14. Professional Practice Evaluation cont’d ● Interacts with peers and colleagues to enhance her or his own professional nursing practice or role performance. ● Provides peers with formal or informal constructive feedback regarding their practice or role performance.