Follow-up survey 10 years later: use of the basic knowledge assessment tools (BKATs) for critical care nursing and effects on staff nurses.

CRITICALCARENURSE Vol 26, No. 4, AUGUST 2006 49 Jean C. Toth is an associate professor of cardiovascular nursing at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. shown that this knowledge is beyond that required for licensure as a registered nurse and is essential before entry into critical care nursing practice. Staff nurses new to critical care typically acquire much of this knowledge during their orientation programs. The initial development of the BKAT and its content, validity, and reliability have been described. The knowledge of critical care nurses has been monitored since the advent of critical care units, and such monitoring is a hallmark of professional nursing. Because the BKATs are widely used, with more than 6000 copies requested from nurse educators/managers working in critical care units and mailed out to them since 1984, it is important for critical care nurses—particularly educators, preceptors, and managers —to learn about a test they may want to use in their units.