Identifying performance criteria for staff development competencies

Performance criteria for specific staff development competencies need to be developed. The primary investigator (PI) surveyed the literature and developed specific performance criteria for objective staff development competencies. A survey was sent to a random stratified sample of 300 nurses certified in nursing continuing education and staff development asking them to rank the performance criteria for the objective statements and provide suggestions for an additional five subjective competencies. The PI reviewed the data and developed criteria for the subjective competencies. A survey with performance criteria for all 10 competencies was sent to National Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO) affiliate groups for validation. Performance criteria were identified for all 10 competency statements. The mean scores for the national and regional samples were very similar in most areas. The data will provide a mechanism to promote and advance evidence-based practice in staff development. Instructors, individual staff development specialists, or organizations can use these performance criteria to determine if staff development personnel are meeting specified competencies.