title: Applying Benner's Model to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Self-Ratings of Role Competence.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-sectional survey research elicited self-perceptions of role competence from practicing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and new PMHNP graduates.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Examine relationships between PMHNP perceptions of competence, prior basic-level nursing experience, and years of PMHNP practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Self-ratings of competence were elicited by a questionnaire designed from Benner's model. The relationship between prior nursing experience and perceptions of competence was examined by chi-square analysis. Changes in PMHNP competence rankings over years of practice were examined with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Self-perceptions of competence increased in seven role dimensions as PMHNPs progressed through years of practice (p < .000). Gains in perceptions of competence occurred between career entry and 3 to 5 years of practice in all but one role dimension. Prior nursing experience did not significantly increase perceptions of competence among PMHNP graduates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-perceptions of competence progressively and significantly increased over years of PMHNP practice among participants in this study.
authors.affiliation: Columbia Community Mental Health Services and Catholic Community Services, Vancouver, Washington.
authors.forename: Lynette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alber
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Augustus
authors.forename: Shauna
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hahn
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Penkert
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Janiece
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Desocio