Paper
Friday, July 23, 2004
This presentation is part of : Transcultural Education
An Exploration Into the Use of a Competency-Based Framework in the Assessment of Nurses From Overseas During a Period of Adaptation to Working in an Irish Teaching Hospital
Elizabeth Kingston, RGN, RM, BNS, MSc, Education Department, Education Department, An Bord Altranais (Nursing Board), Dublin, Ireland
Learning Objective #1: Understand how a competency-based framework of assessment may be used to assess the clinical effectiveness and safety of the practice of an internationally educated nurse
Learning Objective #2: Understand the current education standards and requirements for registration as a general trained nurse in Ireland
Objective: In recent years as a result of acute nursing shortages many nurses from overseas have been recruited to work in the Irish health services. Applicants for registration with An Bord Altranais (The Nursing Board) may be required to undergo as period of adaptation and assessment. The objective of the study is to explore the use of an alternative method of assessment to the one currently in operation.

Concept studied: The approach to assessment examined is a competency-based framework of assessment.

Design: A qualitative research approach is utilised. The Kemmis (1981) model of action research is the framework upon which the study is designed.

Sample: Data is collected using a brainstorming technique with a sample of thirty nurse managers and using the focus group interview method with twelve participants.

Method: Data generated from the brainstorming technique is analysed using the Maykut and Morehouse (1994) model of analysis. Data generated from interviews is analysed using the Burnard (1996) model of thematic content analysis.

Findings: Analysis of data gathered reveals eight themes. The study finds that both cultural and professional adaptation issues are significant factors for nurses following relocation to a new country. The level of clinical support offered by preceptors is perceived to be effective. Time is deemed by participants as a significant factor in determining competence. A competency-based framework is perceived to be a comprehensive method of assessment by participants. The current method of assessment in operation is perceived to be inadequate.

Conclusions: It is timely to critically review the current assessment and adaptation programmes on offer to nurses from overseas ensuring in particular that the following factors are addressed, social and cultural issues, support from preceptors and the framework of assessment in operation.

Implications: These finding while significant are not generalisable as they are unique to study participants.

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