Needs Assessment Survey for Stroke Care Core Competency-Based Training for Neuroscience Nurses

Background: Assessment of stroke care core competency for neuroscience nurses is crucial for developing training programs to improve the quality of care for patients who have a stroke. The goal of this study was to determine the priorities for competency -based training using an importance-performance analysis of stroke care core competency among neuroscience nurses. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey was conducted using a convenience sample of 154 neuroscience nurses. Differences in importance and performance scores were analyzed with paired t tests. The training priority was determined using the importance-performance matrix. Results:The overall performance score was significantly lower than the importance score. The highest priority areas of training were (a) principles of stroke care and (b) cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Conclusion: Competencybased continuing education is needed in implementing stroke best practices for neuroscience nurses to achieve optimal competency