Domain 1

Overview of Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education

Introduction to Nursing Competencies

  • The document outlines essential domains, competencies, and sub-competencies for entry-level and advanced-level professional nursing education.

  • Focuses on 27 specific competencies that are fundamental for nursing practice.

Domain 1: Knowledge for Nursing Practice

  • Descriptor: Integration, translation, and application of established and evolving disciplinary nursing knowledge and knowledge from other disciplines, including foundations in liberal arts and natural sciences.

    • This domain highlights how the integration of various knowledge bases distinguishes the practice of professional nursing and forms the basis for clinical judgment and innovation in nursing.

Contextual Statement

  • Knowledge for Nursing Practice is essential for understanding nursing as a scientific discipline.

    • Nursing combines multiple perspectives into practice, creating a unique way of knowing and caring.

    • A strong foundation in liberal arts and sciences is necessary to prepare graduates as independent, intellectually curious, socially responsible, and competent practitioners (Tobbell, 2018).

    • Liberal education enhances the understanding of self and others, promotes safe, quality care, and informs clinical judgment.

Competencies for Entry-Level Professional Nursing Education

Competency 1.1: Understanding Nursing's Distinct Perspective

  • 1.1a: Identify concepts derived from nursing theories and other disciplines that distinguish nursing practice.

  • 1.1b: Apply knowledge of nursing science to build a foundation for practice.

  • 1.1c: Understand historical foundations of nursing and the evolution of the nurse-patient relationship.

  • 1.1d: Articulate nursing’s distinct perspective in practice.

  • 1.1e: Translate evidence from nursing and other sciences into practice.

  • 1.1f: Demonstrate the application of nursing science in practice.

  • 1.1g: Integrate an understanding of nursing history to advance nursing's influence in healthcare.

  • 1.1h: Recognize shared perspectives with other disciplines in nursing practice.

Competency 1.2: Application of Theory and Research

  • 1.2a: Employ knowledge from nursing, arts, humanities, and other sciences in understanding human experience and nursing practice.

  • 1.2b: Demonstrate intellectual curiosity in seeking knowledge and understanding.

  • 1.2c: Exhibit social responsibility as a global citizen committed to health equity.

  • 1.2d: Examine personal values and their influence on nursing practice decision-making.

  • 1.2e: Formulate ethical decision-making processes in nursing care.

  • 1.2f: Apply systematic and defendable approaches in nursing practice decisions.

  • 1.2g: Demonstrate socially responsible leadership to foster health equity.

  • 1.2h: Translate theoretical knowledge from nursing and other fields into practical applications.

Competency 1.3: Demonstration of Clinical Judgment

  • 1.3a: Exhibit clinical reasoning skills based on a broad knowledge base.

  • 1.3b: Integrate nursing knowledge (theories, methods of knowing, evidence) with knowledge from other disciplines to inform clinical judgment.

  • 1.3c: Use knowledge from nursing and other fields to support clinical judgments effectively.

  • 1.3d: Incorporate both foundational and advanced specialty knowledge into clinical reasoning processes.

  • 1.3e: Synthesize current and emerging evidence to guide practice.

  • 1.3f: Analyze decision-making models across various knowledge domains to enhance clinical judgment.