Bruin Brief 2021-09-10: AACN Essentials, reprise

Owned by Paul Macey
Nov 22, 2021
2 min read

Today is a Repeat of a Bestseller!  On July 16 we hosted a pop quiz about the new AACN publication, The Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education. The new competency-based education model focuses on two levels of professional nursing education: entry-level and advanced-level nursing practice. Today we follow up with a closer look.

Are you intensely curious? Eager to learn what you can do now to implement this transition?
Of course you are. Our top 4 suggestions:

  1. Crosswalk current curricula with the new Domains, Competencies, and Sub-competencies to identify what content is missing in our programs and courses.

  2. Brainstorm ways the new competencies might be assessed in your classes using current or new learning activities/scenarios.

  3. Engage with practice partners to strategize, plan, and implement the new Essentials in clinical experiences.

  4. Sign up for AACN faculty development webinars.

  • Thursday, Sept. 16 at 10:00 PT: The Re-envisioned Essentials: Infusing Innovation in Academic Nursing

  • Tuesday, Sept. 28 at 10:00 PT: Introduction to Competency-Based Education

  • Wednesday, October 13 at 11:00 PT: Beginning Steps for Building a Competency-Based Curriculum

  • Tuesday, October 26 at 11:00 PT: Teaching Effectively in a Competency-Based Curriculum

  • Tuesday, November 9 at 10:00 AM PT: Assessment Strategies for a Competency-Based Curriculum

Why is the transition to competency-based nursing education occurring?

The “primary intent of the [new] Essentials is to create more consistency in graduate outcomes, influenced by the robustness of learning experiences and demonstration of competencies,” says AACN (2021). Employers and other stakeholders deserve clear expectations of the knowledge and skill sets of nursing graduates.

What are the Domains for Nursing in the new AACN Essentials?

Clearly defined competencies and sub-competencies for professional nursing comprise 10 domains of nursing practice and reflect 8 featured concepts.

The 10 domains are considered essential for nursing practice:

  • Knowledge for Nursing Practice

  • Person-Centered Care

  • Population Health

  • Scholarship for Nursing Practice

  • Quality and Safety

  • Interprofessional Partnerships

  • System-Based Practice

  • Informatics and Healthcare Technologies

  • Professionalism

  • Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development

What are the Featured Concepts for Nursing Practice?

Each domain and accompanying competencies reflect 8 central concepts for nursing practice:

  • Clinical Judgment

  • Communication

  • Compassionate Care

  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Ethics

  • Evidence-Based Practice

  • Health Policy

  • Social Determinants of Health

The integration of concepts within competencies and sub-competencies serves as a foundation for student learning across four spheres of care.

 What are the Four Spheres of Care?

 

Within these spheres of care, the competencies are applicable to diverse patient populations and across the lifespan.

Where can I register for the AACN webinars?
https://www.aacnnursing.org/News-Information/News/View/ArticleId/25042/New-Essentials-Webinar-Series

Together, let’s bring Bruin nursing into an exciting new future!!