Development and Implementation of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Competency Validation Tools in Four Nurse-Led Clinics in Rural East Tennessee

• Main Authors: Mullins, Christine, Hall, Katherine, Diffenderfer, Sandy, Marrs, Jo-Ann, Stidham, April
• Published: Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University 2019
• Subjects: East Tennessee; advanced practice registered nurse; College of Nursing; Higher Education; Nursing
• Online Access: https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/7092; https://doi.org/10.1891/2380-9418.12.2.189

Background: Graduate nursing academic faculty rely heavily on clinical preceptors for mentorship and clinical practicum experiences for BSN-DNP degree-seeking family nurse practitioner (FNP) students. Thus, it is important that preceptors have documented clinical competencies to assure the delivery of quality, evidence-based practice that meets regulatory requirements prior to precepting students.Objectives: The objectives of this quality improvement project were to develop and implement APRN competency validation tools (CVTs) in nurse-led clinic settings.Methods: Rapid Cycle Quality Improvement (RCQI) strategies were used to develop and implement APRN CVTs.Results: Three APRN CVTs were successfully developed, tested, refined, and implemented in four nurse-led clinics in rural east Tennessee. With one exception, the APRN preceptors had documentation of clinical competency prior to approval as a SPADES preceptor. Graduate academic faculty, preceptors, and students reported satisfaction with the SPADES project.Conclusion: CVTs are feasible tools for documentation of validated clinical APRN preceptors’ competency in nurse-led clinics. The CVTs and the medical record review checklist are available upon request from the primary author.Implications for Nursing: Use of APRN CVTs provides documentation that the preceptor uses evidence-based practice in the clinic setting prior to precepting students.