Registered nurses' self-perceived level of competence following completion of a specialist graduate certificate.
Utilising the Competency Standards for Specialist Critical Care Nurses (CSSCCN) as a framework, this study sought to examine the perceived level of competence (PLC) of the graduates of a Graduate Certificate in Intensive Care Nursing (GCICN) and the level at which the GCICN influenced the graduates' PLC. A rating scale of 1-5 and an open-ended questionnaire were utilised. The graduates' mean PLC in the competency 'engaging in research' was rated as the lowest and 'recognising own abilities and professional competence' as the highest. Graduates of 1991-1994 rated their PLC on all the competencies lower in comparison to graduates of 1995-1997. Graduates' PLC on enabling and clinical problem solving domains were rated better than the reflective and leadership domains. A significant correlation was demonstrated between the graduates' PLC and their perceptions as to the course's influence on their PLC.
Intensive Care, Liverpool Health Service, NSW.
Nancy
N
Santiano
Katharine
K
Daffurn
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003422:Critical Care; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D007857:Leadership; D008297:Male; D009517:New South Wales; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011340:Problem Solving; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D015397:Program Evaluation; D020377:Self Efficacy; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking