Continuing Competence
For North Carolina Nurses
OBJECTIVES
 Describe
the NCBON Reflective
Practice Model of Continuing
Competence
 Discuss
Implementation and
Compliance with Continuing
Competence Requirements.
WHY is Continuing Competence
important to the NC Board of Nursing?
 Public
protection
 Regulatory function
 Assure patient safety
 Road to improving quality of nursing
care
Background Timeline
1998 – 1999: Initiative & stakeholders
 2001- 2005 : Development & pilot
 2005: Legislation & Rules enacted
 July 1, 2006: Implementation
 July 1, 2008: Audits
 July 1, 2011: Evidence; license issued

Continuing Competence
Requirements for License Renewal and Reinstatement

Law and Rules apply to ALL NC
nurses – RN, LPN, and APRN
A Reflective Practice Approach for
Continuing Competence
Individual
responsibility
 Routine periodic self
assessment
 Identify strengths and
opportunities for
continued growth
 Implement personal
learning plan

Continuing Competence
“. . . the ongoing acquisition and
application of knowledge and the
decision-making, psychomotor, and
interpersonal skills expected of the
licensed nurse resulting in nursing
care that contributes to the health
and welfare of clients served”
Reflective Practice
“ . . . is a process of assessing
one’s own nursing practice to
identify and seek learning
opportunities to promote continuing
competence”
A B C D




Assess personal practice
Based on standards
Collect feedback
Develop and implement a
learning plan and select
learning activity for
demonstration of continuing
competence
A
--- Self Assessment

Assess the following four dimensions of practice:
1)
Professional responsibility
Knowledge based practice
Legal/ethical practice
Collaborating with others
2)
3)
4)

Dimension Worksheets are available on BON
website – OR you may choose to use your own
forms
B ---Based on applicable
standards

Think of the standards that apply to your
practice–

Nursing law and rules (apply to everyone)
Employer policies
Accreditation Standards
Certification Standards
Specialty organizational standards




Example of Self-Assessment
2.4 from Knowledge based practice
1 2 3 4 5
I use evidence, such as research findings and current clinical expertise, to
base decisions relevant to my practice.
21 NCAC 36.0224(a)&(b) and .0225(a)&(b)
X
C --- Collect Feedback

Collect feedback about your practice from
others

This could include people having
knowledge of your practice, such as your
supervisor, peers or other colleagues,
individuals you may supervise, patients or
patient family members, nursing students,
etc.
Example of Self-Assessment
2.4 from Knowledge based practice
1 2 3 4 5
I use evidence, such as research findings and current clinical expertise, to
base decisions relevant to my practice.
21 NCAC 36.0224(a)&(b) and .0225(a)&(b)
X
D --- Develop a Learning Plan

Based on your assessment, identify strengths
and areas to develop in your practice

Next, identify one or more goals for improving
your practice

Then, choose a learning activity from the 8 Board
approved options
 Learning Plan Template is available on website –
OR you may use your own format
Implementation
 At
the time of license renewal or
reinstatement, ALL licensees are
required to complete the process of
self assessment, develop a learning
plan, select an approved learning
activity, and implement their plan!!
Acceptable Learning Activities
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
Choose
National certification
30 hrs of CE
Refresher Course
Academic education
15 hrs of CE + project
15 hrs of CE + publication
15 hrs of CE + presentation
15 hrs of CE + 640 hrs active practice
ONE
of these
options
Option 1

National Certification or recertification related to the nurse’s
practice role by a national
credentialing body recognized by the
Board
Option 2

Thirty (30) contact hours of
continuing education activities
related to the nurse’s practice

Note: one contact hour= 60 minutes
Option 3

Completion of a Board approved
refresher course
Option 4

Completion of a minimum of two (2)
semester hours of post-licensure
academic education related to
nursing practice
Option 5

Fifteen (15) contact hours of
continuing education and completion
of a nursing project as principal or
co-principal investigator
Option 6

Fifteen (15) contact hours of
continuing education and authoring
or co-authoring a published nursingrelated article, paper, book or book
chapter
Option 7

Fifteen (15) contact hours of
continuing education and designing,
developing, and conducting a
professional presentation or
presentations totaling 5 contact hrs
Option 8

Fifteen (15) contact hours of
continuing education and 640 hours
of active practice within the previous
two years
Prorated CE Hours
Recognized CE providers

Any provider
recognized by a
national
credentialing body
that offers
certification in
nurse’s specialty
area of practice

Any provider
recognized by a
national
credentialing body
offering
certification to
advanced practice
nurses
Recognized CE providers






NCNA or any other
state nurses
association
ANA
NLN
NFLPN
NAPNES
NC AHEC




NC BON or any
other state board of
nursing
NCSBN
Employer
sponsored ( up to
50% of requisite
hours)
Other professional
CE for health
professionals
Unacceptable CE
Offerings for lay persons
 Offering less than 30 minutes
 On-the-job orientation
 On-the-job training related to
policies, procedures or equipment
 Other non professional educational
activities

Accountability
At the time of license renewal or
reinstatement, ALL licensees are
required to attest to having complied
with the requirement for Continuing
Competence
 Licensees are randomly selected for
audit and are asked to submit evidence
of completion of one of the approved
learning activities

Accountability
Effective July 1, 2011
 Licenses not issued until
requirement met
 Renewal – Inactive Status
 Reinstatement – not issued

Accountability When Audited
Complete all requirements
 Submit evidence of requirements by
the 20th of the renewal month
 Correct address
 Individual responsibility

Privacy of Documents

If audited, nurses submit documentation
validating completion of selected
learning activity

Self-assessment and learning plan are
personal documents
Contact Information
www.ncbon.com
Continuing Competence@ncbon.com
919-782-3211 ext 281