THE INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCE INSTRUMENT FOR NURSES

A new tool, the interpersonal Competence Instrument for Nurses, was ev aluated for content validity and readability. Evaluators consisted of a panel of 10 nursing experts. The instrument measures four categories of tile patient-nurse interaction: translating, getting to know you, establishing trust, and going the extra mile. The content validity ind exes (CVI) for 14 of 15 behaviors within the four categories ranged fr om .8 to 1.0 and are considered to have content validity. The CVI for the 15th behavior clicking, war calculated as .7, and, thus, war modif ied. The CVI for the entire instrument of III items was determined to be .84. Readability analyzed with the SMOG formula established a grade level of 8.09. Additional psychometric testing of the tool is in prog ress. Internal consistency reliability is being evaluated through the use of coefficient alpha and item analysis. Construct validity is bein g estimated through the experimental approach. The internal structure of the instrument is being assessed through factor analysis. Presuming that this instrument continues to demonstrate validity and reliabilit y with future testing, it will facilitate the evaluation of nurse-pati ent interaction and promote focused education for nurses in the career development continuum.