Nursing Core Competencies

As a nurse with several decades of experience, I have noticed that these “core competencies” have changed slightly over the years and Hood addresses these changes in the first part of her book. Shifting from the 1973 generic list of “standards for professional nurses that would apply across practice settings” (Hood, 2018, pg. 6), the newer model provided by the American Nursing Association (APA) addresses the need to “develop standards of practice for nursing speciality areas” (Hood, 2018, pg. 6) by collaborating with nurses within these areas, including psychiatric and mental health, forensic, hospice and palliative care, and nursing administration. In addition to these new guidelines that move beyond the generic and towards a more comprehensive approach to the areas of nursing specialities, the APA emphasizes how the study of the humanities brings an important aspect to the art and science of nursing. One may at first believe the liberal arts aspect of the BSN to be superfluous. Yet, when we

We are only as strong as our weakest link. When you are working with a team of professionals in extreme cases, having a team you can trust is essential. Not only does a knowledgable, experienced and professional team deliver more consistent and effective results for every patient, it develops an environment that allows each member of that team a solid foundation to provide their best practice/skills. To effectively function within an interdisciplinary team of doctors, nurses, techg, etc, means to foster open communication, shared decision making, mutual respect and team learning. In short, an effective team includes many of the core competencies within one title, and requires proper communication, professionalism, and system-based practice, along with an environment that fosters quality improvement and ultimately patient