Developing a privileging process for the psychiatric nurse.

A privileging process for nurses has the potential for improving nurses' professional performance and increasing the quality of patient care. At Logansport State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in Logansport, Indiana, a privileging process was developed in which advanced psychiatric nursing skills and areas of expertise are delineated as privileges. Twelve privileging areas were established along with specific educational and performance criteria. By requiring nurses to reapply for privileges on an ongoing basis, the hospital assures the continued education and competency of its nursing staff.

Assessing staff competency.

In the absence of a national credentialing center for nursing and in the interest of ensuring competencies, Forbes Regional Health Center has developed a framework for internal credentialing. This framework, while initiated in a specialty area, has application to all areas of acute care including the medical-surgical areas. Program development within this framework provides a consistent, structured method of documenting selected clinical proficiencies and facilitates the achievement of individual learning needs.