title: Expanding nurse of the future nursing core competencies across the academic-practice transition: a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A regional state university and three health care organizations formed a regional education- service partnership to expand the implementation of the Massachusetts Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies (NOFNCC) across the academic-practice transition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a conveienience sample in a one- group preteos-posttest design, the study examined the extent to which transitioning new licensed nurses and their preceptors were knowledgeable regarding NOFNCC as a basis for practice, and assessed changes following an educational intervention. A newly developed instrument based on NOFNCC, the Nurse Competency Assessment Tool (NCAT), served as the measurement: tool.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicate knowledge gaps in system- based practice, quality improvement, and evidence- based practice among both transitioning newly licensed nurses and preceptor groups in need of improvement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NOFNCC identify essential knowledge, attitudes, and skills integral to providing safe quality nursing care not only in Massachusetts but also nationally and globally. Need for continued refinement of the NCAT was also apparent.
authors.forename: Kerry H
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Fater
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Weatherford
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Ready
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Finn
authors.forename: Betty
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Tangney
mesh_terms: D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training / Q000379:methods*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects