A survey of nurses' views on indicators for continuing competence in nursing.

The study, commissioned by the Australian Nursing Council Inc. (ANCI), sought to develop an approach to the maintenance of continuing competence in nursing broadly acceptable to nurses in all States and Territories and included the conduct of a postal survey of registered nurses (RNs) throughout Australia. An options booklet and accompanying questionnaire were posted to a random sample of 2 % of RNs from all Sates and the Northern Territory in Australia. The sample consisted of 4,133 RNs and 1,005 completed questionnaires were returned representing a 24.3% response rate. Data were analysed using SPSSX. The results suggest that respondents most favoured the introduction of a signed declaration of competence for all nurses seeking annual relicensing and the conduct of random competency audits by nursing regulatory authorities.