QA Everyday involves completing self-assessment in two parts:
- Practice reflection
- Developing a learning plan
As regulated health professionals, all nurses are accountable to reflect on their practice to determine their learning needs through self-assessment. A thoughtful and purposeful completed annual Learning Plan helps ensure nurses actively update their knowledge and skills to maintain continued competence.
All nurses registered in the General and Extended Classes must complete self-assessment every year. Self-assessment is a self-directed, two-part process that results in a learning plan.
Part 1: Practice Reflection
Practice reflection is the intentional process of critically thinking about your practice daily, to identify the strengths and gaps in your practice needing continuous learning.
When reflecting, take time to explore a situation or change in your practice. Think about what you did well and if there are areas for improvement. Considering areas of improvement helps to determine your learning gaps and what you can do to improve or enhance your practice.
CNO recognizes the continued impact the health care system on the nursing profession. A series of practice reflection questions are included below to help you reflect on your experiences and identify areas in your practice for continued learning.
- What experiences stand out to you (for example, changes in practice, new models of care, introduction of additional regulated/unregulated care providers to the team)?
- Did you take on additional responsibilities?
- Did you experience any challenges? If so, what were they? How did you manage them?
- Provide examples of changes you noted for yourself, others (for example, clients, colleagues, students, the public), your practice setting and the overall health care system
- Why were/are these changes important?
- How did you adapt to these changes?
- What did you learn that you will continue to use throughout your practice?
- How will addressing these areas help you maintain or improve your nursing knowledge, skill or judgment?
- Which areas in your knowledge, skill and judgment are most important to address and carry forward in your QA this year?
Part 2: Developing A Learning Plan
After identifying your learning gaps, you must develop learning goals to improve the areas in your practice needing further development. A Learning Plan allows you to write down your goals, describe the activities you plan to complete to achieve your goals and track your learning activities. CNO suggests you develop at least two learning goals to focus on each year.
Your learning plan is evidence of activities you did to help maintain your competence as a nurse. You are expected to update your learning plan regularly and keep it for two years.
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