Tool development for evaluation of clinical nurse specialist competencies in graduate students: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was psychometric testing of the tool, Self Evaluation of CNS Competency Development.


METHODS
The tool was developed using the NACNS competencies, with some concepts added to reflect graduate program objectives. The student sample was 33 students who provided informed consent and completed the tool. The preceptor sample was 6 preceptors who clinically supervised 6 students.


RESULTS
As expected, independent samples t tests with matched pairs of 6 students and preceptors showed that there were no mean differences in 9 of the 12 categories within the 3 spheres of influence. Using the contrasted groups approach, discriminant function analysis showed that 91.7% of beginning and ending students were correctly classified. Cronbach alpha was estimated as .96.


CONCLUSIONS
Results show partial support for criterion-related validity and construct validity. Tool reliability is satisfactory. Further testing with larger samples of students and clinical nurse specialists is recommended.
Lunney
Margaret
M
College of Staten Island, Department of Nursing, City University of New York, 2800 Victory Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10314, USA. lunney@mail.csi.cuny.edu
Gigliotti
Eileen
E
McMorrow
Mary Ellen
ME
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment / Q000592:standards; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000592:standards; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009736:Nursing Process / Q000592:standards; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010347:Patient Care Planning / Q000592:standards; D011231:Preceptorship; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*