From Chaos to Competency: Implementing a New Competency Model in a Multihospital System

The demonstration of nurses' competency has been a challenge for nurse educators for a multitude of reasons. Standardizing competencies across a health care system is especially challenging. One multihospital health care system embarked on a journey to standardize and implement competencies across the system. Using a collaborative approach, the Wright model of competency assessment was selected and implemented across the system. Lessons learned include (a) the full engagement of Wright's model by all nursing stakeholders is essential, (b) indicators and outcomes must align with quality improvement data, and (c) the needs of each unit must be individualized, and the methods of verification must be closely aligned with the measurable competency. After implementation of this model, the health system now has a standard definition, identification, methodology, and evaluation for competencies. In addition, there are now standard time frames for assessment and evaluation and increased accountability for staff involvement.