Purpose:

This presentation describes a tool for CNS students and graduates to use in conducting ongoing self-evaluation of their achievement of the 2004 NACNS identified CNS core competencies. Using Benner's concepts of novice, advanced beginner, and competent levels of achievement, the authors converted the NACNS core competencies into a 5-page tool for CNS students to use from the beginning to completion of the graduate program, and after graduation to self-evaluate achievement of each competency over time. The tool also enables students and graduates to seek evaluation by another rater (eg, faculty, preceptor, or supervisor).

Significance:

The self-evaluation of CNS core competencies is foundational for interdisciplinary collaboration; working with other disciplines is about knowing what you are "bringing to the table." The 2004 NACNS Statement on CNS Practice and Education helps CNSs students by providing knowledge of what they should be able to contribute to interdisciplinary teams; however, the complexity of the competencies as written makes the original document difficult to use as a communication tool.

Outcomes:

The outcomes to be presented are: (1) the methods and results of estimating content validity and reliability (interrater and test-retest) in a pilot study; (2) qualitative analyses of student data regarding the perceived usefulness of the tool; and (3) faculty perceptions of the tool's usefulness.

Implications:

After testing by the authors in one program, faculty and students of other programs may choose to use this tool to measure achievement of competencies and to communicate their potential contributions to interdisciplinary teams.