Competencies

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Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

I work in a facility that requires me to complete competencies in tasks I will never do in my current position. Is this a trend now to have people get checked off on anything and everything? I'm of the mindset it is more unsafe...how is a one time practice helpful in the long run if you will never do it? Shouldn't your competencies be customized to your role?Thoughts?

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It's nothing new. I want to say they are mandated by the government. I usually come in on my off day to get them completed because you are usually paid to do them. I never do them while in scheduled to work. Either I'll stay over or again come in on an off day.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

There are competencies that are required by all the governing bodies. Yup...you ahve to do them.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Come to er where you'll get to use all of those competencies at one point or another.

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

I think if you can try to see this from a different perspective, you may not feel so bothered. For example: do your hospital have a float policy? Is there ever a chance you might be sent to another unit if the nursing situation calls for such? I know at my hospital, if the nursing staff on a particular floor is unsafe, and the float pool is depleted, the unit that has an extra staff member will float a nurse to help on the floor that is short. As such, it may require knowledge of different procedures, and this can assist your practice tremendously. Besides, knowledge is power! Being armed with different competencies is important. ;)

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Specializes in Med/Surg/ICU/Stepdown.

*does your hospital

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Specializes in CWON - Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse.

Sarah, luckily there is no chance of that (knock wood!). Trust me, I'm all about knowledge and research, and I keep current w/ journal articles related to my field. I guess it's the principle? How can you be competent if you only do it one time especially if it's something you don't do as a regular practice? EmtbRN I worked in an ER for years and never had to do competencies. I TOTALLY get the importance of competencies...I do think they are important. I just think they should be related to what you do. Grrr.

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I have to do them at my employer. I'm more irritated that I have to prove my skills for things I do everyday. We do them annually.

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