Abstract
Morbid obesity continues to be a growing problem in the United States. Between 1997 and 2003, the number of U.S. hospitals offering bariatric surgery has nearly tripled. Confronted with increasing demands for bariatric surgery, competency of nursing staff caring for the bariatric surgery patient has emerged as a key area of focus. This article highlights the innovative creation and implementation of a bariatric surgery competency program that would meet the competency standards for a Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.