Developing and maintaining competency with circulatory assist devices: how to meet the challenge.

Heart failure is the only cardiovascular disease that is increasing in prevalence in developing countries. As a result, circulatory assist devices are being used more both as a bridge to heart transplantation and as destination therapy in patients with a failing heart. Nurses must become knowledgeable about these options for their patients. Developing and maintaining competency can be challenging as more devices become available. The principles of adult learners were used by one academic medical center to set up a new circulatory assist program and to maintain ongoing competency among staff working with patients who have these devices.