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Ask the expert: Meeting Force of Magnetism 14 expectations for direct-care nurses

HCPro's Weekly Update on the ANCC Magnet Recognition Program®*, August 21, 2007

This week, a reader asks how to show that direct care nurses have achieved leadership skills and clinical competency when demonstrating Force of Magnetism 14: Professional development. Read the response below from our advisor Barbara Wadsworth, RN, MSN, MBA, CNAA,BC, vice president, patient services, at Abington Memorial Hospital in Abington, PA.

Q: When demonstrating Force of Magnetism 14: Professional development, how do you ensure that direct-care nurses achieve leadership skills and clinical competency?

A: The clinical competency of direct-care nurses is critical to positive patient outcomes and to safe and effective provision of care. Ensuring the clinical competency of the staff nurse upon initial hire and on a regular basis is one way to meet this expectation. The following are a few examples to consider when assessing competency and leadership skills:

• Provide competency checklists and orientation packets for new hires in which demonstration and proficiency are observed by an expert care provider or clinical educator
• Implement nurse intern programs to provide a stronger orientation process and facilitate the clinical competency of new graduates
• Identify examples that demonstrate direct caregivers leadership skills and how this behavior is reinforced and shared with others. Leadership skills are evident in the charge nurse role and throughout your shared decision making model

Editor's note: Do you have a question for one of our advisors? If you'd like us to consider your query for publication, please send it to Cameran Erny.

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