The Appraisal of Nursing Practice

OBJECTIVE: We describe the development of the Appraisal of Nursing Practice (ANP) and present initial psychometric data. BACKGROUND: Although measures of new nurses' confidence in clinical practice exist, psychometrically sound observational tools that assess a broad range of nursing competencies are needed. METHODS: Based on the Quality and Safety Education for Nurses competencies, the 37-item ANP covers person-centered care, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based practice/quality improvement, safety, informatics, professionalism, and overall satisfaction (with the new nurse's functioning). Cognitive interviewing was used to refine the items. Assessment of interrater reliability and a field test in a new nurse residency program were conducted. RESULTS: Interrater reliability and internal consistency reliability were generally acceptable. Scores increased significantly for nurses as they moved through a nurse residency program. CONCLUSIONS: The ANP can help nursing administrators identify areas where nurse residents are building needed competencies versus areas that need more work to achieve desired competency outcomes.