Developing Competency Standards for Occupational Health Nurses in Australia

Standards for occupational health nurses were developed by the Australian College of Occupational Health Nurses principally to assist in maintaining professional competency. The standards were developed in conjunction with the profession, management, unions, and other key groups. The research techniques were a combination of nominal and expert activity and a consultation phase. The standards are organized around nine units of competency (major areas of occupational health nurse practice) with 38 elements and 110 performance criteria. A guideline document on "Assessment of Occupational Health Nurse Competencies" is currently being developed to assist assessors of the competency standards.