ABSTRACT
The BKAT is a valid and reliable test of basic knowledge in critical care nursing. Validity was established through a panel of nine experts in critical care nursing practice and education. Reliability was established at the alpha coefficient of 0.86 for the total test during the pilot study on a sample of 100 nurses working in CCUs . The BKAT , which is a 90-item test, has been used on both a supervised and an unsupervised basis. Findings from the pilot study included a statistically significant difference in basic knowledge between new graduates and nurses with 6 months to more than 5 years of experience in critical care nursing, and that the length of critical care experience is the best predictor of basic knowledge. No statistically significant differences were found in basic knowledge in the following groups of nurses: (1) ICU, SICU , and coronary care unit nurses, (2) those working in university or teaching hospitals, community hospitals, and government hospitals, and (3) nurses with an associate degree, diploma, or baccalaureate degree. The BKAT -2, a revision of the BKAT , indicates that the basic knowledge assessment tool can be updated as new technologies and new knowledge become part of the body of nursing knowledge related to safe practice in critical care nursing.
