Demonstrating Continuing Competence

1. Demonstrating Continuing Competence Christine AshleyFRCNA previously Research and Policy Advisor, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council

2. Continuing Competence • Competence – combination of skills, knowledge, attitudes, values and abilities that underpin effective and/or superior performance in a profession/occupational area. • Continuing competence – ability of nurses and midwives to demonstrate that they have maintained their competence in their current area of practice. (ANMC 2000)

3. SAFE PRACTICE CC QA

4. Who bears responsibility for continuing competence? ‘The principle underpinning continuing professional development and career planning is acceptance of personal responsibility for one’s own learning. Recognition that self-knowledge is crucial to effective development, an understanding of the many formal and informal opportunities that may be taken to improve knowledge and skills, an acceptance that although the responsibility for continuing professional development lies with the individual nurse or midwife working with others will be crucial in achieving any development goals’.An Bord Atranais, Dublin 2003:

5. ‘Our Duty of Care’ report 2002 Competence is a shared responsibility….. The individual The competent nurse The profession The employer

6. What are the legislative requirements? • Lack of consistency between each jurisdiction • 7 (out of 8) NMRAs require a self declaration of competence to practice • Some require evidence of CPD • Some require a portfolio

7. ANMC Continuing competence project • Commenced in 2007 • Project consultant appointed • Consultation process established

8. ANMC Continuing Competence Framework The aims of having a national framework are to: • provide a national, standardised process for nurses and midwives to demonstrate their continued competence to practise • set standards for the assessment of competence to practise • set standards for participation in continuing professional development and practice • guide nurses and midwives in developing and maintaining a record of their participation in the ANMC Continuing Competence Framework, through the use of a professional portfolio

9. Developing the framework • National consultations undertaken over almost 2 years • Feedback received and considered from hundreds of individual nurses and midwives and from most national nursing and midwifery organisations • Practice nurses were well represented • Project approved and monitored by the ANMC Board • Trial to be commenced prior to national implementation with national registration (2010)

10. The ANMC Continuing Competence Framework

11. Putting the pieces together…

12. Maintaining professional competence

13. Learning should be fun! • Enjoy the opportunity to learn • Take control of performance reviews • Identify your strengths/weaknesses/needs • Accept criticism constructively • Identify ‘champions’ • Select a mentor to guide you

14. Considerations for practice nurses… • Who can provide support? • Who can undertake a performance review? • Where can information be accessed? • What happens next?

15. “We need to realise and affirm anew that nursing is one of the most difficult arts. Compassion may provide the motive, but knowledge is our only working power. Perhaps, too, we need to remember that growth in our work must be preceded by ideas, and that any conditions that suppress thought, must retard growth. Surely we will not be satisfied in perpetuating methods and traditions. Surely we shall wish to be more and more occupied with creating them.” (M Adelaide Nutting 1925)

16. Thank you! Some useful sites/contacts: www.anmc.org.au rrobinson@anmc.org.au www.rcna.org.au www.midwives.org.au + your own professional organisation