Professional Experience Placement

This article by Blazun, Kokol and Vosner (2015) analysed the bibliometic information sourced from the Scopus database for the period 1981 – 2012. The investigators extracted common elements from 370 articles. The rationale behind the investigation was to analyse the research literature production in nursing competencies. The authors categorised competence in relation to information source; identification of the more prolific entities and mapping of term clusters and year associations. The authors also discussed the difficulties with defining competence.  They found that the term has evolved over time, however, ambiguity remains over a nurse becoming competent and maintaining competence.

Blazun et al (2015) identified the production of articles in the first 13 years were low. There was a steady increase from 1994 and began to rise dramatically in 2003. This steadied again until 2008, when it dropped again. There was a spike in 2006 that the authors believe was due to a larger than usual publication of articles from two journal sources. Information was published from forty one countries. Eleven countries including Australia (third) produced 78% of the research output. All five continents were represented in the list of prolific countries. The researchers also investigated the most prolific institutions, citations and specialities. Three sub fields of community health, public health and psychiatric nursing were the main fields published in relation to competence.

Blazun et al (2015) analysed the terms used to describe competence and found there were shifts in focus over time. Currently research into new competencies related to data/information communication, nursing research and evidenced based nursing are in focus. The authors also found that the terms competence and competency had two different meanings. The study confirmed though, there is still an open question about the definition of competence. The authors concluded by stating further research is required to standardise a definition for competence, especially as globalisation, demographic changes, information technology and biomedical informatics are advancing.

The implications of this study for clinical supervision remind us that the concept of competence continues to evolve.  As globalisation occurs in response to the advances cited above, there is a need to be mindful of what competence and competency means in clinical practice or during professional experience.

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Competency standards are currently under review. Part of this process will include the development of registered nurse standards for practice. There is currently consultation regarding these draft standards. They can be found on the NMBA website. A mapping document and background paper are also available. Consultation is open until 3 July and feedback can be provided using the template provided. A further validation round consultation is expected later in the year. This is your opportunity to provide feedback on the competency standards, I urge you to contribute.

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