NR 351 Week 1 Discussion: Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies
NR 351 Week 1 Discussion: Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies
After reviewing the Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies©, it’s clear why these competencies were selected. They reflect the fundamental skills and knowledge nurses must possess to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centered care across various healthcare settings. The competencies were chosen to establish a consistent framework for nursing education and practice, ensuring that nurses at all levels maintain the highest standards of care and professional development.
Out of the ten core competencies, the two I believe will be most important in my future nursing practice are communication and patient-centered care.
Communication is essential in nursing, as it involves interacting effectively with patients, families, and healthcare team members. Good communication fosters mutual respect and shared decision-making, which directly impacts patient satisfaction and outcomes (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2016, p. 32). As a future pediatric nurse, communication will be crucial when dealing with both children and their families. Communicating with children often requires creativity, such as using visual aids or simplifying medical terms to help them understand procedures. Involving parents in these conversations can also help ease the child’s anxiety by fostering trust and reassurance.
Patient-centered care, defined as providing compassionate, coordinated, age-appropriate, and culturally sensitive care, is another core competency that will guide my nursing practice (Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, 2016, p. 10). Pediatric patients span a wide age range, each requiring different approaches to care. Younger children, for example, may need playful explanations of medical equipment to reduce their fears, while older children might need clear and concise communication to understand their treatment plans. By tailoring care to each child’s developmental level and involving families in decision-making, I can provide a more personalized and effective nursing experience.
Both communication and patient-centered care are vital because they lay the foundation for building trust and providing holistic, individualized care. These competencies not only improve patient outcomes but also ensure that patients and their families feel heard, respected, and supported.
References
Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. (2016). Massachusetts Nurse of the Future Nursing Core Competencies. Retrieved from http://www.mass.edu/nahi/documents/NOFRNCompetencies_updated_March2016.pdf
Hood, L. J. (2014). Leddy & Pepper’s conceptual bases of professional nursing (8th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
