COMPETENCY-BASED NURSING EDUCATION: EVOLUTION, GLOBAL TRENDS, AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS

Abstract

Nursing education system needs a transition from traditional content-based system to competency-based nursing education (CBNE) system due to transformation and increased complexity of healthcare systems and enhanced global emphasis on patient safety. The focus of CBNE is on the competencies that are measurable and achievable and produce nurses who are capable of integrating knowledge, skills, attitudes, and clinical judgment into practice. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore the evolution of competency-based nursing education, analyze the global competency frameworks, discuss suitable teaching and learning methodologies, evaluation approaches, advantages, obstacles, and future directions for the implementation of CBNE. Literature is reviewed from international peer-reviewed journals, reports from various global nursing organizations, and policy documents. Researches reveal that clinical competence and judgment, workforce readiness and accountability increase with the implementation of CBNE; however, there are lots of challenges that hinder the implementation of CBNE, some of which are faculty readiness and proper training, reliability of assessment tools or approaches, scarcity of resources, especially in developing countries. Implementation can be achieved successfully with faculty preparedness and development, organizational support at national levels, and with adaptation of context-sensitivity. Contemporary healthcare demands can meet by preparing competent nurses using the strategy of CBNE worldwide.