A framework for creating and evaluating competencies for emergency nurses.

Nurses have a duty to the public, their profession, and themselves to maintain and demonstrate competence throughout their career. Increasing numbers of patients access health care through the emergency department, placing increased importance on ED nurses to maintain competencies. However, a consensus definition and methodology to maintain clinical competence remains elusive. Competency is an intangible construct that is not a specific skill or task to be completed but rather is a necessary characteristic required to act effectively in a nursing setting. Individual nurses and health care agencies struggle to demonstrate and document competencies, often relying on skill checklists, return demonstrations, portfolios, and certifications. The purpose of this article is to discuss the development of competencies and provide examples of competencies for nurses to use in their quest to maintain and demonstrate clinical competence.