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Defining ‘competency’ in nursing (part II): an analytical review
Author(s) -
Bradshaw Ann
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of clinical nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.94
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1365-2702
pISSN - 0962-1067
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2702.1998.00130.x
Subject(s) - nursing , medline , psychology , medicine , political science , law
• The reason for the present uncertainty in defining nursing competency is analysed. • The prevailing educational philosophy underpinning nursing preparation for competence is subjected to a critique. • The effect and outcome of this philosophy on clinical supervision, PREP and the law are considered in relation to nursing competence. • It is concluded that because nursing competency is only vaguely and broadly defined, preparation and assessment of competency is haphazard and unstructured; and hence a potential safety hazard for both patient and nurse. • It is suggested that the UKCC needs to assume responsibility for ascertaining nursing competence; and a four‐point framework is proposed for setting and testing national standards of nursing competency.