Development of the public health nursing competency instrument.

Full Abstract

This paper describes the development and initial testing of an instrument to measure population-based public health nursing competencies. Although multiple lists of public health competencies exist, literature review did not elicit a valid instrument that could measure changes in public health nursing competency over time. The public health nursing competency instrument, consisting of 195 measurable activities organized in the framework of the nursing process, was developed. Competency scores of practicing public health nurses significantly increased after a continuing education series, and the instrument was confirmed by experts to be a valid reflection of public health nursing practice. The time required for instrument development exceeded expectations because of the multiple stages of delineating competencies and validating data with national experts.

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Author information

Author/s: Cross, Sharon (S); Block, Derryl (D); Josten, Lavohn (L); Reckinger, Dawn (D); Olson Keller, Linda (L); Strohschein, Sue (S); Rippke, Mary (M); Savik, Kay (K);

Affiliation: St. Paul-Ramsey County Department of Public Health, Little Canada, Minnesota, USA. sharon.cross(-atsign-)co.ramsey.mn.us

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Validation Studies

Journal: Public health nursing (Boston, Mass.) (Public Health Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Mar-Apr; vol 23 (issue 2) : pp 108-14

Dates: Created 2006/05/10; Completed 2006/07/11; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16684186, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Clinical Competence - standards
Community Health Planning - standards
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Education, Nursing, Continuing - standards
Educational Measurement - methods; standards
Employee Performance Appraisal - methods; standards
Guideline Adherence - standards
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Status Indicators
Humans
Midwestern United States

Models, Nursing
Nurse's Role
Nursing Assessment
Nursing Education Research
Nursing Evaluation Research
Nursing Process
Nursing Staff - education; psychology
Outcome and Process Assessment (Health Care)
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Public Health Nursing - education; standards
Sensitivity and Specificity

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