Background: External Ventricular Drain (EVD) care is considered a complex and advanced
nursing specialty for patients with neurological conditions. Ongoing education and training
are crucial in order to guarantee that nurses remain updated on the most recent developments
in patient care and maintain the necessary competencies. Aim: Determine the effect of a
nursing development competency program on nurses' knowledge and practices regarding
external ventricular drain. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was used in this study with
a convenient sample of 50 nurses. The study was conducted at the neurosurgery departments
at Mansoura University Hospital, Mansoura, Egypt. Two tools were used for data collection;
Tool I Self- administered Questionnaire for nurses about EVD; Part 1 Demographic
characteristics, Part 2 Knowledge Questionnaire regarding EVD and Tool II Competency
Observation Checklist for nursing practices regarding EVD. Results: There were significant
differences of nurses' overall knowledge between preprogram period with both immediate
and three months periods post program (p= 0.041* & 0.019*, respectively). Also, there were
significant differences of nurses' practices between pre-program period with both immediate
and three months periods post program (p= 0.014* & 0.050*, respectively). Conclusions:
The nursing development competency program has a positive effect on the nurses' levels of
knowledge and practices regarding external ventricular drain. Recommendations:
Development of educational guidelines that are rooted in evidence-based nursing practices
to promote high-quality nursing care and ensure excellence in the context of external
ventricular drain (EVD) nursing care.