Nurse Competency Assessment: Its Time for a Change

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Nurse Competency Assessment
It is Time for Change
Richard Scarbrough
Edison State College

Abstract
There is no question as to the need of ongoing educational development for our nurses in the acute health care setting. At the rate our knowledge is expanding in this field we must insure that all nurses are up to date and competent to perform their increasingly complex tasks. The means by which we assess their level of competence is the topic discussed in this paper. The current competency assessment model in place at Lee Memorial Health system and the competency assessment model set forth by Donna Wright in her book, “Competency Assessment in Health Care,” will be examined. Through compare and contrast means, the differences and benefits of the Donna Wright model verses the model now being used by LMHS will be presented.

Competency Assessments, Its Time for Change There are not many careers today that afford the luxury of learning an occupation and never having to advance or grow past the initial set of procedures, rules, and ideas needed to perform a task. Due to rapid advancements in technology and science, virtually any carrier can be influenced and made more productive, efficient, and safe. Putting these advancements to use involves ongoing education and programs to insure the proficiency of each employee. The field of nursing is a prime example of the necessity to insure that all professionals in the field are up to date and competent to perform their increasingly more complex duties. Health care organizations do this on an annual basis through the means of requiring annual competency assessments. Lee Memorial Health Systems performs this competency assessment for the majority of their Registered nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses with a yearly “Skills Fair” which, from this writer’s perspective, has become a redundant
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