Statement on Continuing Competence for Nursing
A Call to Action
“The Statement on Continuing Competence: A Call to Action” clarifies the concept of continuing competence and presents a framework for building certification and recertification processes in the future. HPCC sponsored the development of the Statement.
The Statement distinguishes between competence and competency, expresses five foundational beliefs about continuing competence and defines continuing competence. The Statement encourages educators, researchers, and certification and other credentialing organizations to take action and align their programs with the beliefs and definition.
HPCC initiated and led this collaborative effort because the nursing profession and the credentialing community lacked a clear definition and distinct dimensions of continuing competence.
The task force that developed the Statement included national leaders in certification theory and practice representing The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS), the Journal for Continuing Education in Nursing: Continuing Competence for the Future (JCEN), the consumer, and HPCC. It is posted on the ABNS website.
ABNS, the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) have endorsed the Statement. Nursing leaders will continue to disseminate the Statement in the professional nursing and credentialing community and will discuss the Statement and its implications at meetings of professional organizations and in professional journal articles.
HPCC continues to explore innovations in our recertification process to align with and reflect the Statement.
Statement on Continuing Competence for Nursing: A Call to Action