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New Zealand nurses' perceptions of the continuing competence framework
R Vernon1, M Chiarella, E Papps
1University of Sydney, Head of School Nursing, NSW, Australia. rvernon@eit.ac.nz
International Nursing Review
|February 15, 2013
Summary
New Zealand nurses largely believe the Continuing Competence Framework (CCF) ensures safe practice, though understanding varies. The framework is perceived as credible for public safety, with few competence-related notifications recorded.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Healthcare Regulation
- Professional Competence
Background:
- Internationally, demonstrating and maintaining nursing competence is crucial.
- Many countries utilize continuing competence frameworks to ensure professional standards.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess nurses' perceptions of the Nursing Council of New Zealand (NCNZ) Continuing Competence Framework (CCF).
- To evaluate nurses' understanding, satisfaction, and the effectiveness of the NCNZ CCF processes.
Main Methods:
- A web-based survey was distributed to 1157 nurses in New Zealand.
- The sample was representative of the NZ nursing population, ensuring statistical validity with a 95% confidence level and a 2.85% margin of error.
Main Results:
- Most nurses believe the CCF effectively ensures competence and fitness to practice.
- While some aspects of the CCF were not fully understood by all participants, it is generally viewed as a reliable process for public safety.
Conclusions:
- The NCNZ CCF is perceived by most nurses as a mechanism for ensuring competence and fitness to practice.
- Since implementation, less than 0.02% of notifications were competence-related, indicating a low incidence.
- While the CCF infers competence, it does not guarantee a nurse's safe practice on any given day.
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