Perinatal nurses' perceptions of competency assessments

Competency assessment should be a changing and continuing process. In addition, it should be appropriate for the organization and the nursing staff. Nursing educators are challenged to provide a competency assessment process that is relevant and meaningful. This qualitative research study describes perinatal nurses' perceptions of a change from a traditional testing competency assessment to a hands-on competency assessment. The setting was a medical center in southeastern Alabama. Thirteen nurses participated in the study. Focus groups were used to explore the new assessment method. Three themes were identified: I am learning, multidimensional learning together, and increasing professional confidence. As the medical center perinatal nursing competency assessment program continues to improve, the expectation is for other departments to assess and revise their competency assessment program.