Introducing the Basic Knowledge Assessment Tool for pediatric critical care nursing (PEDS-BKAT).

A 9-member educational task force and a 4-member panel of experts was used to establish the validity of the PEDS-BKAT, which was modified from version 4 of the adult BKAT for critical care nursing. A sample of 105 pediatric ICU nurses from 6 settings took the PEDS-BKAT. Test results include a mean score of 78.9 points and a reliability of 0.86 (coefficient alpha). The PEDS-BKAT can be used to assess knowledge before and after orientation, to determine learning needs for veteran staff nurses, for advanced placement of new employees with previous experience in a pediatric ICU, and in nursing research. Copies of the PEDS-BKAT are available upon request.