Modeling Core Competencies in the Competency-based Nursing Curriculum

The purpose of this study is modeling nursing competencies and reasoning out the core competencies, the ability for 20% of important actions for nursing jobs which can manage the rest 80% so that the competency-based nursing curriculum can be developed. A literature review of the vast studies regarding competencies was done to understand the concepts of competency-based curriculum, competency, and nursing competencies, identifying the relationships among each nursing competency categorized in accordance with those concepts. An exemplified concept map of core competencies for the competency-based nursing curriculum is suggested based on a thorough review of various competency modeling methodologies. The core competencies consist of base competency (theoretical/practical nursing knowledge and skills), practical competency (clinical judgment, patient education, communication, etc.), and personality competency (leadership, sense of responsibility, cooperation, etc.). The circular relationship among them can remain consistent through self-directed learning and critical thinking. Therefore, a nurse who have those core competencies is a knowledge worker, a self-directed learner, and also an effective, professional communicator. Further studies which solidify the concept of nursing competencies should be done, as well as the feedback procedures which evaluate the program outcomes and then reflect the evaluation results in the curriculum should be followed continuously.