Assessing Nurse Competency in the Veterans Health Administration Registered Nurse Transition-to-Practice Residency Program

Background: New graduate registered nurse (RN) competencies are complex and difficult to measure. Psychometrically sound tools are needed to evaluate competencies for nurses participating in nurse residencies. Purpose: Project aims were to develop an item pool for a tool to measure new graduate RN competencies for the Veterans Health Administration RN Transition-to-Practice Residency Program; validate item pool content; and use consensus methods to improve item pool content validity. Methods: A sequential, mixed-methods design was used. Item pool creation, content validation, and revisions included a collaborative process with the evaluation team, operational stakeholders, and subject matter experts (SMEs). Results: Inclusion of SMEs in item development enhanced item pool content validity to measure nurse competency. Stakeholder feedback ensured programmatic logistical and evaluation concerns were met. Conclusions: Engaging SMEs in conceptualization, item development, and aligning existing standards enhanced item pool content validity to measure nurse competencies for new graduate RNs.