Board of Registration in Nursing

Module: Competence: A Legal Requirement to Licensed Nursing Practice

Competence 244 CMR 9.02, defines Competence as: “The application of knowledge and the use of affective, cognitive, and psychomotor skills required for the role of a nurse licensed by the Board and for the delivery of safe nursing care in accordance with accepted standards of practice.”

Competence Involves Responsibility: Responsible to self, patient, employer, profession (for example, following policies and procedures) and Accountability: Accountable to the Board, employer, profession (i.e. adhering to the regulations)

Continued Competence The application of knowledge and the interpersonal, decision-making, and psychomotor skill expected for nurse’s practice role, within the context of public health, welfare and safety. Ref: National Council of State Boards of Nursing, 1996

244 CMR 5.00: Continuing Education Consists of planned, organized learning experiences designed to augment the knowledge, skills, attitudes for the enhancement of nursing practice, to the end of improving health care to the public.

Continuing Education Criteria: Amount: 15 Contact Hours every two yearsAmount: 15 Contact Hours every two years Standards: Objectives direct content, specific, attainable, measurableStandards: Objectives direct content, specific, attainable, measurable Subject Matter: attains or maintains nursing knowledgeSubject Matter: attains or maintains nursing knowledge

Continuing Education Criteria - continued: Methods: Follows adult learner theoryMethods: Follows adult learner theory Faculty: Competent in the subject matterFaculty: Competent in the subject matter Evaluation: Of both the learning & programEvaluation: Of both the learning & program Records: Maintain for 2 renewal cyclesRecords: Maintain for 2 renewal cycles

Special Provision for newly licensed nurses As a newly licensed nurse, there is no continuing education requirement for the FIRST LICENSE RENEWAL cycle.