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Applying Benner's Model to Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Self-Ratings of Role Competence
Lynette Alber1, Leslie Augustus, Shauna Hahn
1Columbia Community Mental Health Services and Catholic Community Services, Vancouver, Washington.
Background:
Cross-sectional survey research elicited self-perceptions of role competence from practicing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) and new PMHNP graduates.
Objectives:
Examine relationships between PMHNP perceptions of competence, prior basic-level nursing experience, and years of PMHNP practice.
Study Design:
Self-ratings of competence were elicited by a questionnaire designed from Benner's model. The relationship between prior nursing experience and perceptions of competence was examined by chi-square analysis. Changes in PMHNP competence rankings over years of practice were examined with Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney procedures.
Results:
Self-perceptions of competence increased in seven role dimensions as PMHNPs progressed through years of practice (p < .000). Gains in perceptions of competence occurred between career entry and 3 to 5 years of practice in all but one role dimension. Prior nursing experience did not significantly increase perceptions of competence among PMHNP graduates.
Conclusions:
Self-perceptions of competence progressively and significantly increased over years of PMHNP practice among participants in this study.
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