Report on the Evaluation of the Continuing Competence Framework released

The Council began a research project in July 2009 to determine if the way we currently measure continuing competence – through practice hours, professional development hours and assessment of competence - are the best ways to determine continuing competence. These measures reflected the best thinking when the Health Practitioners Competence Act (2003) was introduced and five years on a review is appropriate. 

The Council has a commitment to evidence-based policy and practice and to ensuring, as far as practicable, that its processes are underpinned by research and evaluation.

The Council is pleased to release this evaluation report on the framework.  There was generally positive feedback about the framework and the current indicators of continuing competence that the Council is using.  There was also support for the recertification audit process as a mechanism for ensuring the framework is being adhered to by individual nurses.  There are some recommendations for changes to the recertification process and some issues for further consideration for the Council related to the concept of continuing competence.  Some respondents did not fully understand the respective roles of the Council, the employer and the individual nurses in ensuring competence to practice.  As a result of the evaluation, the Council will not be changing the indicators that form the basis of continuing competence framework but will be implementing some improvements to the recertification audit documentation and processes. 

The Council thanks the research team for this evaluation and also the nurses who participated in the research by interview or survey. 

Please click here for a copy of the report, or click here for the executive summary.