Competency-Based Nursing Education - Springer Publishing

Preface
The inspiration for this book came from our experiences as nurses
providing direct care to patients, serving as advanced practice nurses,
supervising nursing students, listening to the needs of our clinical
colleagues, and from opportunities we have had to revise and develop
new programs.
The need for competency-based education (CBE) has been recognized
for years. The preparation of graduates for a wide range of professions
and trades has been a concern of employers. Education and work
were disconnected and new graduates did not have the basic skills to
function in the workplace. Students were weak in universal skills such
as reading, writing, oral communication, mathematical computations,
creative thinking, problem solving, managing self, working with groups,
and working effectively within an organization. Additionally, graduates
needed specific, entry-level skills to function in their specific disciplines.
The health-related professions require demonstrated competency
in their practitioners. New graduates need to function at a specific
beginning level to provide safe care. Continuing competency is also
required to ensure that expert, quality care is being provided. Leaders
in medical education programs have been at the forefront of implementing
CBE approaches. Carrie Lenburg is the nursing leader who developed
a model and framework for CBE. The public, regulatory agencies,
and professional organizations require accountability from educational
institutions and programs. CBE provides a way to help ensure that
learners are competent at the end of educational endeavors.
This book is designed as a resource for nurses and health professionals
in all disciplines who are responsible for diverse education programs.
The book is unique because it brings together all the elements of CBE
and provides a road map for developing, implementing, and evaluating
competency-based approaches to education.
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