Internationally Educated Nurse Internationally Educated Nurse (IEN)(IEN)

Competency AssessmentCompetency Assessmentin Albertain Alberta

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) WorkshopPrior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) WorkshopMay 16, 2007May 16, 2007

Shirley Meyer, RN MNShirley Meyer, RN MNAssistant RegistrarAssistant Registrar

Role of the Regulatory Body

The College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta (CARNA) is responsible for ensuring that the residents of Alberta receive:

safe,

competent, and

ethical

nursing care from Registered Nurses (RNs) and Nurse Practitioners (NPs).

Overview

Role of Regulatory Body

Eligibility Process and Competency Assessment

What works

What we have learned

Challenges

Determining eligibility

Historically, eligibility for RN registration was based on comparing IEN educational preparation to educational preparation of Alberta RNs.

Assessment of credentials and educational transcripts provide only a part of the information required to determine an applicant’s eligibility for registration as a Registered Nurse

Determining eligibility

Alberta Health Professions Act (HPA)

Substantially Equivalent Competence (SEC) Have a combination of education, experience, practice or other qualifications, that demonstrates the competence required for registration as a regulated member

(HPA 28(2)(c))

Entry to Practice Competencies

The specific knowledge, skills, judgment and interpersonal attributes required of a new registered nurse graduate who is entering the workforce for the first time.

28 competencies

Measured using the SEC Assessment process administered at Mt. Royal College in Calgary

Eligibility Process

If unable to determine from applicant documents that possesses ‘substantially equivalent competencies’ expected of newly graduated Alberta RNs, will:

Determine type(s) of SEC Assessment required Refer applicant to the Mt. Royal College IEN Assessment

Centre

Applicant arranges appointment

Once assessment completed, report sent directly to CARNA

Eligibility Process

SEC Assessment report will identify if applicant: Meets all competencies Meets many/some but not all competencies

Eligibility decision determined from assessment of all evidence (including SEC assessment results)

If questions arise from assessment results, direct contact is made with the IEN Assessment Centre to discuss and verify.

Occasionally applicant may be sent for further specialty SEC assessment if required.

Educational Interventions

Decision made to: Approve registration Defer registration Deny registration

Defer: If competency gaps are identified, applicant may be required to complete educational interventions to address the gaps

Types of educational interventions determined by: The appropriate activity that would address competency gaps in the most timely and cost-effective manner for IEN

Successful completion of interventions is considered evidence of meeting the competency requirement.

What we have seen with SEC Assessment…

Not eligible

Eligible but competency difficulties arose in workplace

Eligible

Met all competencies and was eligible

Competency gaps identified and completed remediation. Eligible and more confident in workplace

Could not meet competencies – deemed ineligible

Transcripts & Credentials only SEC Assessment

What worksCommitment of both parties (Mt. Royal and CARNA) to a collaborative and ongoing relationship

Shared goals:Objective, unbiased assessment of the applicant’s ability to meet

Entry to Practice CompetenciesPublic receives safe, competent, ethical nursing careMaintenance of evidence-based SEC assessment toolOpen, transparent, concurrent process evaluation with timely,

responsive changesFacilitate IEN success on CRNE and in workplaceRespectful and fair relationship/interactions with applicants

What works…The collaboration between Mt. Royal College IEN Assessment Centre, CARNA, and Ministries of Health & Wellness and Advanced Education

All focused on providing frameworks and infrastructure to:

Ensure safe, competent nursing care to publicSupport timely assessmentsSupport IENs and facilitate their success

What we have learned…Importance of English Language fluency prior to the assessment

The need for open, transparent information to applicants:

The SEC Assessment is an opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities

The SEC Assessment process Understanding that identified educational activities

must be completed as a requirement for eligibility

What we have learned…

The need for regular, frequent meetings between both CARNA and the IEN Assessment Centre to ensure timely discussion of issues and joint problem-solving

The SEC Assessment process is ongoing and iterative in its development

What we have learned…

Critical to discuss and understand the assumptions, roles and processes of each partner: Regulatory vs. Educational

Purpose of the SEC assessmentInformation re: applicant to SEC assessment Centre by CARNAInformation to/from applicant prior and following assessment

Operational and funding processesProcess flow mapping, streamlining of processesCapacity and scalability issues

Other activities and pressures in each environment

What we have learned…

Having an objective assessment of an individual’s competencies is important and valuable but,

It is equally important and essential to have appropriate and accessible remedial interventions available to address the identified gaps

One is incomplete without the other!

Educational Interventions

Discovered that existing educational programs/courses did not meet the specific educational needs of IENs who had been through a SEC Assessment

Either content was not applicable to competency gap or there was redundant content

Educational Interventions

Specific curriculum had to be developed to provide educational interventions that addressed the specific competency gaps

Offerings are tailored to the specific IEN competency requirements

Because content was developed in alignment with PLAR Project, have confidence that remediation meets competency needs.

Challenges

Assessment and educational accessibility to IENs in all locations

AlbertaOff shore

Funding assistance for IENs

Awareness and understanding of length of time process can take

But…

The process provides an opportunity for applicants to ‘show what they know’

The process is objective, consistent and fair

The process helps ensure that registered nurses who are granted eligibility for registration are competent to provide safe and ethical nursing care to the public.