Reflection: Am I competent?
Competence
The standards of practice for RNs and LPNs make it clear that nurses must be competent before they carry out
nursing activities.
Competence is not only the ability to carry out a task. Competence is the integration and application of knowledge,
skills, attitude and judgment required for safe, ethical and competent performance in an individual’s nursing
practice. For example, if a nurse is planning to change a dressing, he or she must have:
1. The knowledge about the type of wound (e.g.,
the pathophysiology).
2. The skill to perform the dressing changes (e.g.,
manual dexterity and familiarity with
equipment).
3. An attitude that reflects the values of the
profession (e.g., ensuring care is provided in a
discreet manner and respecting the client’s
choice to refuse treatment).
4. The judgement required to access, make a
decision and plan care (e.g., whether the
dressing change must be done at all, whether
the client requires an analgesic, whether a family
member can be taught how to change the
dressing).
Competence
Knowledge
Skill
Attitude
Judgement
Reference: Exemplary Care: Registered Nurses and Licensed Practical Nurses Working Together
Information taken from http://arnpei.ca/images/pdf/RNsandLPNsWorkingTogether.pdf