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Updated: Jan 19, 2026
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Change Over Time in Ratings of New Nurses on the Appraisal of Nursing Practice
Heather Becker1, Chipo Ndlovu, Ya-Ching Huang
1Author Affiliations: Research Scientist (Dr Becker), Graduate Research Assistant (Dr Huang) School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin; and Network Clinical Education Manager (Dr Ndlovu), Regional Director, Clinical Professional Development (Ms Rowin), Seton Healthcare Family Hospital System, Austin, Texas.
Objective:
To examine changes in new nurses' competencies across the 1st year of practice.
Background:
Competency assessment is a challenge for nurse residency programs and often focuses on skills checklists and confidence self-reports. The Appraisal of Nursing Practice, an observational rating based on Quality and Safety in Nursing Education standards, was developed to help evaluate an RN residency program.
Methods:
Preceptors, nurse educators, and/or unit managers from various units rated new nurse residents. Ratings were compared for 353 nurses at 3 points: within the 1st month in the program (T1), at 5 months (T2), and at month 11 (T3).
Results:
Competency ratings increased significantly for all subscales from T1 to T2. Ratings continued to increase significantly from T2 to T3, although at a slightly slower rate. Teamwork and evidence-based practice increased the most.
Conclusions:
Future studies should explore factors affecting the trajectory in developing nursing competencies within various settings.
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