The purpose of this research is to examine the Clinical Competence of thirty (30) registered nurses in the area of medical and surgical practice through the use of the ANCI Competency Framework and Benner’s Model of Clinical Competence. A model of competence was developed to observe and articulate the clinical competence of these practitioners. In the discipline of nursing the concept of competency is viewed as an important factor in determining the standard of nursing care received by the patient. It is directly related to performance and is stated as the ability of a person to fulfil the nursing role effectively and expertly. The focus of this research is on the novice/expert dichotomy in nursing practice, in particular the clinical decision making process of Registered Nurses who have reached different levels of expertise in medical and surgical practice.

Please cite as: Oliver, M. (1997). An analysis of the notion of competence across the practice of three groups of nurses in the field of medical and surgical practice. Queensland Journal of Educational Research, 13(2), 83. http://education.curtin.edu.au/iier/qjer/qjer13/oliver.html