Measuring competencies: development of the administrator competency survey

Competency assessments is critical for nurse managers who must move between and among health care settings. This article reports development of a survey tool to measure administrative competencies to facilitate career movement based on competencies versus traditional structure of education and experience. The study was designed to determine specific competencies that were deductively derived and considered essential for successful leadership in the year 2000. These included eight domains: quality improvement, shared visions, global approach, serving community, mastering change, team learning, managing customer relationships, and managing a diverse workforce. The tool was used to measure nurse administrator competency in a select group. Results identified expertise and targeted priorities for training and improvement.