The role of physical design and informal communication

3.4.3 Weekly Competency Ratings
GN competency levels were rated by the Orientor from week 1 through week 9
(See Appendix J for Competency Rating form). The mean rating went from 2.44 to
8.44, an increase of 245%, putting the GN just below the “Expert” level by the end of
week 9 (See Figure 34). The GN mean competency ratings followed a pattern that
coincided with the GN’s changing patient assignment throughout orientation. With
the exception of week 1, every time the average competency rating plateaued or
decreased, the GN’s patient assignment has recently increased. This data may reflect
the difficulty experienced when the GN must adjust to taking on one more patient per
shift.
Mean Competency Rating
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Week
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Competency
Rating
Patient
Assignment
Figure 34 Average competency ratings by week and GN patient assignment
Figure 35 shows the competency ratings at the end of weeks 1 and 9. The
competency category with the lowest rating by week 9 was “Computer: Patient
Education,” which refers to the hospital’s computerized Care Notes program where
staff can access and print patient-ready educational sheets that explain medical
95