Benner

“I was filling out the performance evaluation program and I just don’t know….
am I an expert or just competent? How do I tell?”

In late winter CKHA launched a new performance evaluation program, PEP for short. The nursing and allied health evaluation tools were developed using the work of Patricia Benner, who describes the different stages of professional growth and development using “Novice to Expert”. Benner notes all professionals will have expertise with certain tasks and knowledge throughout their careers but there are few true experts in any field as experts have the ability to always see the big picture, always think intuitively about all situations and are able to recognize and work through ethical dilemmas and situations as a matter of course in their professional world and this may take a lifetime of work to achieve.

“I’ve been here a lifetime…does that make me an expert according to Benner model?”

Benner suggests that most professionals will fall within the competent to proficient categories. Competent members of a profession think independently, are able to work autonomously in most complex professional situations and are able to recognize that a situation has ethical components and perform much of their work. Proficient professionals do much of their work intuitively, they have much experience and through those experiences are able see, feel, know and recognize new situations through those past experiences. They require little or no supervision in complex situations and are able to not only recognize ethical situations but have a developing ability to work through ethical issues.

“How long does it take to become competent or proficient?”

At CKHA we strive to have our professionals working to their maximum capabilities and hope everyone can master their profession to be competent or proficient. We also know that there are times when staff will function as novices or advanced beginners, just because of the nature of the work or because they are new to the environment or profession. Novices require clear direction and multiple supports, they are new to the profession or clinical area, can manage simple professional skills, they are learners. Advanced beginners continue to develop their skills, are starting to think independently, can manage situations with low to medium levels of complexity but still need mentorship to grow into fully functioning members of the profession. Advanced beginners usually move to becoming competent and proficient within 3 to 5 years of entering the profession.

“Are you telling me it is ok to not be an expert in all things even if I’ve been here for 30 years?”

Though it is admirable to aspire to develop expertise in an area, we also need to acknowledge it is okay to be competent; with in the Benner model competent is not mediocre but what patients expect and need. So as you complete your next evaluation, no matter what your job or role is, challenge yourself to look for opportunities for professional growth, be realistic about who you are and what you bring to the organization, and seek out feedback. Take advantage of the PEP process and recharge your professional career by meeting with your manager and Professional Practice nurse to look for new opportunities to enhance your practice, scope of care and professional knowledge.