Competency Assessment Project Expanded Scope of Practice - First Nations and Inuit Health Programs

Aboriginal Nurse, The, May 1999

Community Health Nurses working in First Nations communities employed by MSB and First Nations employers recently (March-April, 1999) participated in a survey to validate competencies (knowledge, skills, abilities, attitudes, and judgment) expected of the practicing entry-level expanded scope of practice nurse. This information will be used to prepare a competency profile for the development of competency assessment tools. The goal of the project is to develop a program to assess the entry-level competencies of nurses practicing in the expanded scope of practice in First Nations and Inuit communities. The expanded scope of practice is categorized into five areas, which include health assessment, interventions, family health, health promotion and illness/injury prevention and community development.

The next phase of this project, which is scheduled to begin shortly, will involve the development of the assessment methods to be used for assessment purposes. The tools will be designed to be diagnostic and identify any potential areas of weakness in the expanded scope of practice competencies. One of the objectives of this program will be to identify continuing education needs of nurses practicing in First Nations and Inuit communities.