Abstract
To determine nurses' ability to intervene appropriately in cases of opiate-induced respiratory depression, educators piloted two competency validation options. Nurses could choose to write an exemplar or perform in a simulation. A comparison of how nurses prepared for the methods and how educators validated their competency is described. Although unofficial staff and leadership responses to the competency methods were positive, further exploration is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of the strategies in improving nurses' care practices and patient outcomes.