Nurse

Competencies for the General Nurse



Accountability:

 Accepts accountability for own professional judgment, actions, outcomes of care and

continued competence in accordance with scope of practice, increased responsibility,

legislative acts and regulations

 Recognizes the limits of scope of practice and own competence

 Seeks guidance from the appropriate others when encountering situations beyond own

knowledge, competence or scope of practice

 Recognizes and respects the different levels of accountability for the range of available

personnel

 Participates in activities related to improving the access to the range of services required for

effective health services

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Ethical Practice-

 Practises in a manner that conforms to the Jordan Code of Ethics, the professional code in

force in the jurisdiction and employer’s code of conduct

 Engages in effective ethical decision-making with respect to own professional responsibilities

or where ethical issues affect the broader healthcare team.

 Acts in an advocacy role to protect human rights and questions violations of client in

accordance with jurisdictional and in the Jordan Codes of ethics.

 Maintains confidentiality and security of written, verbal and electronic information acquired in

a professional capacity

 Respects the client’s right to privacy and dignity

 Respects the client’s right to information, choice and self determination in nursing and health

care

 Challenges behaviour and health care practice that could compromise client safety, privacy

or dignity





Legal Practice

 Practices in accordance with professional, relevant civil legislation and regulations

 Practices in accordance with jurisdictional and local policies and procedural guidelines

 Recognizes and acts upon breaches of law relating to the professional role and/or

professional code of conduct/code of practice







Principles of Care Provision

 Uses knowledge from nursing, health and other disciplines combined with best available

evidence to explain nursing decisions and interventions

 Applies contemporary knowledge from different sources and the best available evidence to

base professional decision making and practice

 Applies critical thinking skills and a systems approach to problem solving and nursing

decision-making across a range of professional and care delivery contexts

 Delivers care consistent with professional and organisational standards, policies, protocols

and procedures

 Recognizes culturally sensitive needs and adapts practice accordingly

 Incorporates traditional healing practices valued by clients and with proven beneficial/or

harmless effects into care activities

 Applies advocacy skills to assist clients unable to represent or speak for themselves



 Acts as an information and education resource and for clients seeking to improve life styles,

adopt illness/injury prevention activities and cope with changes in health, disability and death

 Provides guidance/ instruction in the development and/or maintenance of independent living

skills

 Recognizes opportunities and provides guidance/ education to individuals, families and

communities to encourage adoption of illness prevention activities and maintenance healthy

lifestyles

 Selects teaching /learning strategies appropriate to the needs and characteristics of the

individual or group

 Evaluates learning outcomes and modifies teaching/learning approaches and content

accordingly

 Demonstrates awareness of major developments and the potential application of current

communication/ health technologies in health care



Promotion of health

 Maintains own health and personal fitness for/at work’

 Cooperates with nurses, other professionals and community groups in activities to reduce

illness and promote healthy life styles and environments.

 Incorporates into practice a perspective that takes account of the multiple determinants of

health





Assessment:

 Gathers accurate and relevant objective and subjective data through systematic health and

nursing assessments.

 Organizes, synthesizes, analyses, and interprets data from different sources to derive a using

diagnosis and determine a care plan

 Shares and documents findings accurately and in a timely manner complying with

professional standards and organizational policies





Planning-

 Formulates a comprehensive care plan with identified care outcomes based on nursing

diagnoses, findings from a nursing and health assessment, inputs from other health

team members, and nursing practice standards

 Applies critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills underpinned by knowledge of

nursing and other disciplines to the care planning process

 Establishes priorities for care in collaboration with other care providers and clients

 Involves clients where possible in care planning ensuring that they receive accurate,

understandable information and on which to base consent for care

 Involves an advocate when clients, families or carers request support or have limited

abilities in decision making, giving informed consent, or where there is a language

barrier

 Regularly reviews and revises the care plan, where possible in collaboration with other

members of the health/social health team, and clients.

 Maintains a current, accurate care plan and related records

Implementation

 Implements a range of procedures, treatments and interventions that fall within scope of

practice for the registered nurse and are in accordance with nursing and best practice

standards

 Documents interventions and client responses accurately and in a timely manner

 Responds appropriately and in time to unexpected or rapidly changing situations

 Responds immediately and appropriately to emergency and disaster situations, including

launching life support procedures when necessary, and other emergency/disaster procedures





Evaluation

 Monitors and documents progress toward expected outcomes accurately and completely.

 In consultation with clients/families and/or carers,and health team members, evaluates

progress towards planned outcomes

 Uses evaluation data to modify the care plan



Therapeutic Communication and Interpersonal Relationships

 Initiates, develops and discontinues therapeutic relationships through the use of appropriate

communication and interpersonal skills.

 Maintains a relationship that respects the boundary between clients and self

 Listens to others in an unbiased manner, respects points of view of others, and promotes the

expression of diverse opinions and perspectives

 Communicates clear, consistent and accurate information verbal, or in written and electronic

forms that fall within professional responsibility and maintains confidence in care

 Interacts in a manner that is respectful and culturally appropriate to the clients, family and/or

carers from diverse cultural backgrounds

 Facilitates access to information or refers request to the appropriate person.

 Communicates and shares relevant information including views of clients, families and/or

carers with other health team members involved in providing services





Leadership and Management

 Advocates for and acts within span of control to create a positive working environment

 Adapts leadership style and approaches to different situations

 Confronts conflict in a nonjudgmental fashion, making effective use of communication skills

and existing mechanisms to achieve resolution

 Contributes to team leadership by reinforcing goals so as to promote respect and confidence

amongst the team

 Able to articulate own leadership contributions and support expectations of other team

members

 Prioritizes workload and manages time effectively.

 Contributes to the review and modification of current organizational and practice policies and

procedures currently in force

 Contributes to education and professional development of students and colleagues in the

work place

 Provides feedback and offers suggestions for changes and deals effectively with the impact of

change in own practice or on the organization





Safe Environment

 Uses appropriate assessment tools to identify actual and potential risks to safety and reports

concerns to the relevant authority

 Takes timely action through the use of quality improvement risk management strategies to

create and maintain safe care environment and meet national legislation and workplace health

and safety requirements, policies and procedures

 Ensures the safe and proper storage, administration and recording of therapeutic substances.

 Administers and records medication, assesses side-effects and titrates dosages in

accordance with authorized prescriptions.

 Complies with infection prevention procedures and challenges breaches in other practitioners’

practice

 Knows responsibilities’ and procedures to follow in the event a disaster is declared



Delegation and Supervision

 Delegates to others, activities according to ability, level of preparation, proficiency and legal

scope of practice

 Accepts delegated activities in line with personal level of proficiency and legal scope of

practice

 Monitors and uses a range of supportive strategies including precepting when supervising

and/or monitoring delegated care

 Maintains accountability and responsibility when delegating aspects of care to others.

 Contributes to policy and protocol development that relate to delegation of clinical

responsibilities





Inter-Professional Health Care-

 Understands and values the roles, knowledge and skills of members of the health team in

relation to own responsibilities

 Works collaboratively with other professionals in health care to enhance nursing and other

health services being accessed by clients

 Uses knowledge of effective inter and intra-professional working practices

 Presents and supports the views of clients, families and/or carers during decision making by

the interprofessional team.

 Refers clients to ensure patients/clients have access to best available interventions



Enhancement of the Profession



 Promotes dissemination, use, monitoring and review of professional standards and best

practice guidelines

 Promotes and maintains a positive image of nursing.

 Acts as an effective role model for students and within the care team

 Acts as a resource for students other members of the health team and the public

 Values research in contributing to developments in nursing and uses findings as a means to

improving standards of care

 Scans practice environment and nursing literature to identify emerging trends and issues.

 Engages in advocacy activities through the professional organization to influence health and

social care service policies and access to services



Quality Improvement

 Follows evidence-based and best practice guidelines in the delivery of nursing practice

 Participates in quality improvement and quality assurance procedures



Continuing Education

 Undertakes regular review of own practice by engaging in reflection, critical examination and

evaluation and seeking peer review

 Assumes responsibility for lifelong learning, own professional development and maintenance

of competence.

 Takes opportunities to learn with others contributing to health care

Exam Dimensions



Dimension 1: Fields of Nursing Specialties

1. Adult Health Nursing (50%)

2. Maternal Health Nursing (12.5%)

3. Child Health Nursing (12.5%)

4. Community Health Nursing (12.5%)

5. Mental Health Nursing (12.5%)



Dimension 2:Areas of Content Across Specialties

1. Physiological Integrity (30%)

2. Safety and Infection Control (20%)

3. Psychosocial Integrity (15%)

4. Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapy (15%)

5. Management and Leadership (10%)

6. Legal and Ethical Issues (10%)



Dimension 3: Nursing Process

1. Assessment (20%)

2. Nursing Analysis (20%)

3. Planning (20%)

4. Implementation (20%)

5. Evaluation (20%)



Dimension 4:Nature of Question

1. Knowledge (50%)

2. Skills (25%)

3. Attitude (25%)

Pharmacological and parenteral therapy



Definition:

The nurse promotes achievement of client outcomes by implementing nursing

interventions related to accurate administration of medication, parenteral fluids and blood

transfusion.



Content areas include but not limited to:

 Administration of drugs

 Intravenous fluid administration

 Blood and blood products administration



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:

1. Apply knowledge of pharmacology and pathophysiology to identify the indication

of prescribed medication including emergency drugs.

2. Calculate the client’s medication dosage, Intravenous (IV) and blood transfusion

(BT) flow accurately.

3. Administer the medications safely considering 5 rights (right client, right drug,

right dose, right route, right time).

4. Assess the client before, during and after the administration of medications and

BT (Vital signs).

5. Describe various routes of medication administration.

6. Assess the client’s response for medications, IV and BT including allergic

reaction, adverse /side effects of therapy and medication and drug interaction.

7. Report any abnormal findings while administration of Medications, IV or BT.

8. Implement procedures to counter act adverse effects and complications of

medications, IV and BT.

9. Start, maintain and discontinue the IV infusion and BT.

10. Document medications administered, intake of IV fluids and BT and patient

response.

11. Teach client and significant others about the prescribed drugs, their administration

and side effects.

12. Identify the Jordanian Ministry of Health policy in handling controlled drugs such

as narcotics.

Safety And Infection Control



Definition:



Nursing activities that maintain and improve the quality of care in health care settings,

which includes protecting client, visitors, and health care personnel from hazards.

Content areas include but not limited to:

 Accident prevention.

 Error prevention.

 Handling hazardous and infectious materials.

 Universal precautions and infection control principles.

 Medical surgical aseptic techniques.

 Use of restraints and safety devices.

 Safe use of equipments.

 Establish priority.

 Documentation.

 Evacuation of clients.



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:



1- Assess real and potential threats to client, visitors, and health care personnel.

2- Utilize nursing knowledge and skills to protect client, visitors, and health care

personnel from infections and nosocomial diseases.

3- Utilize nursing knowledge and skills to protect client, visitors, and health care

personnel from accidents and errors.

4- Apply safe use measures of equipments by clients, visitors, and health care

personnel.

5- Evaluate the effectiveness of infection control and accident prevention measures.

6- Document and report precisely and accurately clients, visitors, and health care

personnel incidents.

Health Promotion and Maintenance

Definition:



The nurse provides and directs nursing care of the clients (individual, family, community)

during different life cycle utilizing different levels of health care and prevention

strategies in order to achieve optimal health and wellness.



Content areas include but not limited to:

 Developmental stages and transitions (from conception through out late

adulthood).

 Disease prevention.

 High – risk behaviors.

 Principles of teaching and learning.

 Self care.

 Life style.







Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:

1. Assess expected physiological changes associated with growth and

development from conception through advanced old age.

2. Identify risk factors for disease / illness (e.g. gender, ethnicity, life style).

3. Provide care that meets expected needs of the client throughout the life cycle.

4. Recognize growth and developmental deviation of clients through out life

cycle.

5. Assist the client to adapt to changes throughout life cycle.

6. Plan strategies to incorporate healthy behaviors into client’s life style.

7. Evaluate the client achievement of expected developmental levels.

8. Participate in disease prevention activities related to the client’s

environmental, genetic or behavioral risks (e.g. air pollution, family history,

smoking).

9. Prevent spread of disease related to high- risk behaviors.

10. Educate the client to maintain health and prevent disease.

11. Assist clients to adhere to the therapeutic regimen.

Legal And Ethical Issues

Definition:



The nurse maintains responsibilities and accountabilities for their actions according to

legal ethical and professional standards.



Content areas include but not limited to:

 Client advocacy

 Client rights.

 Confidentiality.

 Informed consent.

 Ethical nursing practice (Ethical decision making & resolution of ethical

dilemma).

 Legal rights and responsibilities.

 Legal and professional accountability.



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:



1- Serve as the client advocate.

2- Ensure clients informed consent.

3- Use sound clinical decision – making / critical thinking while providing

nursing care.

4- Maintain client confidentiality, privacy and dignity.

5- Practice within the professional ethical legal and standards nursing practice.

6- Adhere to the nursing code of ethics in the practice.

Management and leadership



Definition:



The nurse provides plan, monitor and directs nursing activities that enhance the care

delivery setting by providing integrated, cost-effective care to clients by coordinating,

supervising and / or collaborating with members of the multi- disciplinary health care

team.



Content areas include but not limited to:

 Concept of management.

 Case management

 Collaborating with members of the multi- disciplinary team.

 Consultation with members of the health care team.

 Delegation.

 Quality improvement.

 Supervision.

 Conflict resolution.

 Resources management.

 Time management.



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:



1- Act as liaison between clients and other health care team members.

2- Evaluate client plan of care as needed.

3- Discuss treatment options with the client and family.

4- Provide the client and the family with information on process and procedures

for discharge to home.

5- Participate in developing multidisciplinary plans of care.

6- Identify roles/ responsibilities of health care team members.

7- Plan overall strategies to address the client’s care.

8- Describe the process of conflict resolution and utilize resources effectively.

9- Consult with other health care providers about client care.

10- Evaluate delegated nursing care outcomes.

11- Report client care issues to appropriate personnel.

12- Evaluate effectiveness of a staff member’s time management skills.

Physiological Integrity



Definition:



Physiological aspects of the human body include all systems and subsystems with

their internal and external environments. Integrity refers to the mechanisms the body

uses to reach a state of constancy, homeostasis, and adaptation. The nursing role in

this regard is to promote health and wellness through reduction of risks, provision of

care and comfort, management of alterations, restoration of functions, helping in the

adaptation to deficits.







Content areas include but not limited to:



Content areas include but not limited to: nutrition, oxygenation, oral hydration,

perfusion, elimination, non- pharmacological comfort interventions, rest and sleep

mobility, assistive devices, personal hygiene, and management of daily activities.



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:



1- Apply knowledge and skills from nursing and other related sciences to collect

data necessary to identify physiological health concerns of client ( s) .



2- Formulate appropriate nursing diagnoses for clients based on collected data.



3- Plan nursing interventions appropriately to meet client physiological health

concerns through setting priorities, establishing goals, determining nursing

interventions, and documenting nursing interventions.



4- Intervene appropriately to help clients prevent illness, promote health and

wellness, manage physiological health alterations, meet physiological needs,

optimize organ functions, and adapt to physiological deficits.



5- Evaluate provision of care by establishing outcome criteria, evaluating goal

achievement, identifying variables affecting goal achievement, modifying the plan

of care as needed, and terminating care.

Psychosocial Integrity

Definition:



The nurse provides and directs nursing care that assists with promotion and support the

emotional, spiritual, social well being of clients and family/ significant others

experiencing stressful events, as well as clients with acute or chronic mental illness.



Content areas include but not limited to:



 Spirituality and health

 Behavioral interventions

 Sensory/ perceptual alterations

 Situational role change

 Coping mechanisms

 Stress management

 Crisis intervention

 Sexuality

 Substance-related disorders

 Cultural awareness

 Suicide/ violence precautions

 End of life concept

 Support system

 Grief and loss

 Therapeutic communication

 Mental health concept

 Therapeutic environment

 Mental illness concepts

 Unexpected body image changes



Objectives:

The nurse will be able to:



1- Integrate current knowledge from nursing sciences, the humanities, social and

natural sciences in providing nursing care.

2- Perform comprehensive client assessment by collecting information from multiple

sources to establish a foundation for provision of client care.

3- Plan and provide competent care and promote positive client outcomes, using

critical thinking to make clinical decisions based on the data collected.

4- Demonstrate accountability for ethical and processional standards of nursing.

5- Teach the client and significant support person(s) in order to promote and

facilitate informed decision-making, achieve positive outcomes, and promote self-

care activities.

6- Demonstrate caring behaviors toward the client, significant support person(s),

peers and other members of the healthcare team.

7- Demonstrate effective communication skills to exchange information verbally,

non-verbally, in writing and through information technology, directed toward

promoting positive health outcomes.

8- Manage client care as a member of the health care team, effectively utilizing

resources to meet client needs and to support organizational outcomes.

9- Collaborate with client, significant support person (s) and members of the health

care team to achieve positive client outcome.