Paradigm for SCI nurse competency on adult-geriatric SCI rehabilitation unit.

This article is based upon an SCI Model Project, funded by the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Nurses (AASCIN). The purpose of this project was to develop a model to validate theoretical and practical knowledge of Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses in an SCI rehabilitation setting. The investigators were direct care providers in a 68 bed SCI rehabilitation service at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida. The theoretical framework was based upon three aspects: Competency Validation, Theoretical Knowledge, and Practical Knowledge. Competency Validation was directed towards incorporating the elements of assessment, maintenance, demonstration, and improvement of competencies on an ongoing basis. Theoretical knowledge encompassed the cognitive and psychomotor aspects of SCI nursing, and Practical Knowledge highlighted the application of principles of caregiving. Two instruments were developed to harmonize theoretical and practical dimensions for competency validation: SCI Knowledge/Skill Appraisal (SKA) and Expertise in SCI Nursing Practice (ESNP). The purpose of this project was to design a model for validating theoretical and practical knowledge of Registered Nurses (RN's) and Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN's) in an SCI rehabilitation setting. The investigators were direct care Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPN/LVN's) in an SCI rehabilitation setting. The investigators were direct care providers in a 68 bed spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation service at the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, Florida.