The evidence concerning patient observation skills among critical care
nurses is scarce, and these skills have not been evaluated using both
subjective and objective assessment. This study aimed to explore
associations between self-assessment and knowledge test assessment of
critical care nurses’ skills in patient observation, thus combining
subjective and objective assessment. The data of this cross-sectional
study among Finnish critical care nurses were collected using an
instrument combining self-assessment and knowledge test assessment. The
study was reported following the STROBE guidelines. Almost half of the
critical care nurses responded (n = 372, 49%). Only a weak
positive correlation was found between the scores of assessment methods.
This highlights the complex nature of skills evaluation.
Self-assessment has limitations in reliability and accuracy, but it has
potential in promoting nurses’ professional development. There is a need
for developing and supporting self-assessment in clinical nursing
practice.