Ateneo de Davao University

11 Core Competencies
Standards for Nursing Practice in the Philippines

Lectured by:
JENNY-ANN B. SORIANO, RN MAN
Clinical Instructor, Ateneo de Davao
University
Davao City, Philippines

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Student Learning Outcomes
• The students are able to compare and contrast various factors affecting
health that influences or affects the nursing profession development by
criticizing these factors such that the learners will develop awareness
of the national health situation and create a plan with  interventions to
improve the health situation of the community.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Legal Basis
• Article 3 Sec.9 (c) of R.A. 9173/ “Philippine Nursing Act 2002”
Board shall monitor & enforce quality standards of nursing
practice necessary to ensure the maintenance of efficient,
ethical and technical, moral and professional standards in the
practice of nursing taking into account the health needs of
the nation.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Significance of Core Competency Standards
1. Unifying framework for 1. Basis for advanced nursing
nursing practice, education, practice, specialization
regulation 5. Framework for developing
2. Guide in nursing curriculum nursing training curriculum
development 6. Public protection from
3. Framework in developing test incompetent practitioners
syllabus for nursing profession 7. Yardstick for unethical,
entrants unprofessional nursing
4. Tool for nurses’ performance practice
evaluation
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Phases of Developing Competency Standards
1st Phase
Competency identification through DACUM

2nd Phase
Verification of identified competencies

3rd Phase
Pilot testing ( senior student in 8 nursing colleges)

4th Phase
Benchmarking with exiting standards from 3 countries + ICN
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
11 Core Competency Standards
1. Safe & quality nursing practice 6. Personal & professional
2. Management of resources & development
environment 7. Quality improvement
3. Health education 8. Research
4. Legal responsibility 9. Record management
5. Ethico – moral responsibility 10. Communication
11. Collaboration & teamwork

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Demonstrate knowledge based on health/illness status of individual/
groups

Indicators :
○ Identifies health needs of patients/groups
○ Explains patient/group status

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Provides sound decision making in care of individual/groups
considering their beliefs, values

Indicators :
○ Problem identification
○ Data gathering related to problem
○ Data analysis
○ Selection appropriate action
○ Monitor progress of action taken

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Promotes patient safety and comfort

Indicators :
○ Performs age-specific safety measures and comfort measure in all
aspects of patient care

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Priority setting in nursing care based on patients’ needs

Indicators :
○ Identifies priority needs of patients
○ Analysis of patients’ needs
○ Determine appropriate nursing care to be provided

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 5:
Ensures continuity of care

Indicators :
○ Refers identified problems to appropriate individuals/ agencies
○ Establish means of providing continuous patient care

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 6:
Administers medications and other health therapeutics

Indicators :
○ Conforms to the 10 golden rules in medication administration and
health therapeutics

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 7:
Utilizes nursing process as framework for nursing. Performs
comprehensive, systematic nursing assessment

Indicators :
○ Obtains consent
○ Complete appropriate assessment forms
○ Performs effective assessment techniques
○ Obtains comprehensive client information
○ Maintains privacy and confidentiality
○ Identifies health needs
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 8:
Formulates care plan in collaboration with patients, other health team
members

Indicators :
○ Includes patients, family in care planning
○ States expected outcomes in nursing interventions
○ Develops comprehensive patient care plan
○ Accomplishes patient centered discharge plan

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 9:
Implements NCP to achieve identified outcomes

Indicators :
○ Explain interventions to patient, family before carrying them out
○ Implement safe, comfortable nursing interventions
○ Acts according to client’s health conditions, needs
○ Performs nursing interventions effectively and in timely manner

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 10:
Implements NCP progress toward expected outcomes

Indicators :
○ Monitors effectiveness of nursing interventions
○ Revises care plan PRN

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Safe and Quality Nursing Care
CORE COMPETENCY 11:
Responds to urgency of patient’s condition

Indicators :
○ Identifies sudden changes in patient’s health conditions
○ Implements immediate, appropriate interventions

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Management of Resources and Environment
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Organizes workload to facilitate patient care

Indicators:
○ Identifies task or activities that need to be accomplished
○ Plans the performance of task or activities based on priority
○ Finishes work assignment on time

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Management of Resources and Environment
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Utilizes resources to support patient care

Indicators:
○ Determines the resources needed to deliver patient care
○ Control the use of equipment

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Management of Resources and Environment
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Ensures the functioning of resources

Indicators:
○ Check proper functioning of the equipment
○ Refers Malfunctioning equipment to appropriate unit

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Management of Resources and Environment
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Check the Proper functioning of the Equipment

Indicators:
○ Determines the task and procedures that can be safely assigned to the
other members of the team
○ Verifies the competence of the staff prior to delegating tasks

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Management of Resources and Environment
CORE COMPETENCY 5:
Maintains safe Environment

Indicators:
○ Observe proper disposal of waste
○ Adheres to policies, procedures and protocols on prevention and
control of infection
○ Defines steps to follow incase of fire , earthquake and other
emergency situation

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Health Education
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Assesses the learning needs of the patient and the family

Indicators:
○ Obtains learning information through interview, observation and
validation
○ Defines relevant information
○ Completes assessment records appropriately
○ Identify priority needs

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Health Education
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Develops Health Education plan based on assessed and anticipated
needs.

Indicators:
○ Considers nature of the learner in relation to social, cultural, political,
economic, educational, and religious factor

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Health Education
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Develops learning material for health education

Indicators:
○ Involves the patient, family and significant others and other resources
○ Formulates a comprehensive health educational plan with the
following components , objectives, content and time allotment
○ Teaching-learning resources and evaluation parameters
○ Provides for feedback to finalize plan

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Health Education
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Implements the health Education Plan

Indicators:
○ Provides for conducive learning situation in terms of timer and place
○ Considers client and family preparedness○ Utilize appropriate
strategies
○ Provides reassuring presence through active listening, touch and facial
expression and gestures
○ Monitors client and family’s responses to health education

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Health Education
CORE COMPETENCY 5:
Evaluates the outcome of health Education

Indicators:
○ Utilizes evaluation parameters
○ Documents outcome of care
○ Revises health education plan when necessary

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Legal Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Adheres to practices in accordance with the nursing law and other relevant
legislation including contract and informed consent.

Indicators:
○ Fulfill legal requirements in Nursing Practice
○ Holds current professional license
○ Acts in accordance with the terms of contract of employment and other rules and
regulation
○ Complies with the required CPE
○ Confirms information given by the doctor for informed consent
○ Secures waiver of responsibility for refusal to undergo treatment or procedures
○ Check the completeness of informed consent and other legal form
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Legal Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Adheres to organizational policies and procedures, local and national

Indicators:
○ Articulates the vision and mission of the institution where one belongs
○ Acts in accordance with the established norms and conduct of the
institution/ organization

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Legal Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Document care rendered to patients.

Indicators:
○ Utilizes appropriate patient care records and reports
○ Accomplish accurate documentation in all matters concerning patient
care in accordance with the standard of nursing practice.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Ethico-Moral Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Respects the rights of individual/ groups

Indicator:
○ Renders nursing care consistent with the patient’s bill of rights (ie.
confidentiality of information, privacy, etc.)

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Ethico-Moral Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 2
Accepts responsibility & accountability for own decisions and actions

Indicators:
○ Meets nursing accountability requirements as embodied in the job
description
○ Justifies basis for nursing actions and judgment
○ Protects a positive image of the profession

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Ethico-Moral Responsibility
CORE COMPETENCY 3
Adheres to the national and international code of ethics for nurses

Indicators:
○ Adheres to the Code of Ethics for Nurses and abides by its provisions
○ Reports unethical and immoral incidents to proper authorities

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Personal & Professional Development
CORE COMPETENCY 1
Identifies own learning needs

Indicators:
○ Verbalizes strengths, weaknesses, limitations.
○ Determines personal and professional goals and aspirations.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Personal & Professional Development
CORE COMPETENCY 2
Pursues continuing education

Indicators:
○ Participates in formal and non-formal education.
○ Applies learned information for the improvement of care.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Personal & Professional Development
CORE COMPETENCY 3
Gets involved in professional organizations and civic activities

Indicators:
○ Participates actively in professional, social, civic and religious
activities
○ Maintain membership to professional organizations
○ Support activities related to nursing and health issues

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Personal & Professional Development
CORE COMPETENCY 4
Projects a professional image of nurse

Indicators:
○ Demonstrate good manners and right conduct at all times.
○ Dresses appropriately.
○ Demonstrates congruence of words and actions.
○ Behaves appropriately at all times.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Personal & Professional Development
CORE COMPETENCY 6
Performs function according to professional standards

Indicators:
○ Assesses own performance against standards of practice.
○ Sets attainable objectives to enhance nursing knowledge and skills.
○ Explains current nursing practices, when situations call for it.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Quality Improvement
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Gathers data for quality improvement

Indicators:
○ Demonstrates knowledge of method appropriate for the clinical
problems identified
○ Detects variation in the vital signs of the patient from day to day
○ Reports necessary elements at the bedside to improve patient stay at
hospital
○ Solicits feedback from patient and significant others regarding care
rendered
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Quality Improvement
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Participates in nursing audits and rounds

Indicators:
○ Contributes relevant information about patient condition as well as unit condition and
patient current reactions
○ Shares with the team current information regarding particular patients condition
○ Encourages the patient to speak about what is relevant to his condition
○ Documents and records all nursing care and actions
○ Performs daily check of patient records/condition
○ Completes patients records
○ Actively contributes relevant information of patients during rounds thru readings and
sharing with others

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Quality Improvement
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Identifies and reports variances

Indicators:
○ Documents observed variance regarding patient care and submits to
appropriate group within 24 hours
○ Identifies actual and potential variance to patient care
○ Reports actual and potential variance to patient care
○ Submits report to appropriate groups within 24 hours

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Quality Improvement
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Recommends solutions to identified problems

Indicators:
○ Gives appropriate suggestions on corrective and preventive measures
○ Communicates and discusses with appropriate groups
○ Gives and objective and accurate reporton what was observed rather
than an interpretation of the event.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Research
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Gathers data using different methodologies

Indicators:
○ Identifies researchable problems regarding patient care and
community health
○ Identifies appropriate methods of research for a particular
patient/community problem
○ Combines quantitative and qualitative nursing design thru simple
explanation on the phenomena observed
○ Analyzes data gathered
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Research
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Recommends actions for implementation

Indicator:
○ Based on the analysis of data gathered, recommends practical
solutions appropriate for the problem

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Research
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Disseminates results of research findings

Indicators:
○ Communicates results of findings to colleagues/patients/family and to
others
○ Endeavors to publish research
○ Submits research findings to own agencies and others as appropriate

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Research
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Applies research findings in nursing practice

Indicators:
○ Utilizes and findings in research in the provision of nursing care to
individuals/groups/communities
○ Makes use of evidence-based nursing to ameliorate nursing practice

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Records Management
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Maintains accurate and updated documentation of patient care

Indicator:
○ Completes updated documentation of patient care

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Records Management
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Records outcome of patient care

Indicator:
○ Utilizes a record system

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Records Management
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Observes legal imperatives in recording keeping

Indicators:
○ Observes confidentially and privacy of patient’s records
○ Maintains an organized system of filing and keeping patient’s records
in a designated area
○ Refrains from releasing records and other information without proper
authority

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Communication
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Establishes rapport with patients, significant others and members of the
health team.

Indicators:
○ Creates trust and confidence
○ Listens attentively to client’s queries and requests
○ Spends time with the client to facilitate conversation that allows client
to express concern.

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Communication
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Identifies verbal and non-verbal cues

Indicator:
○ Interprets and validates client’s body language and facial expression

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Communication
CORE COMPETENCY 3:
Utilizes formal and informal channels

Indicator:
○ Makes use of available visual aids

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Communication
CORE COMPETENCY 4:
Responds to needs of individuals, family, group and community

Indicator:
○ Provides re- assurance through therapeutic, touch, warmth and
comforting words of encouragement
○ Readily smiles

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Communication
CORE COMPETENCY 5:
Uses appropriate information technology to facilitate communication

Indicator:
○ Utilizes telephone, mobile phone, email and internet, and informatics
○ Identifies a significant other so that follow up care can be obtained
○ Provides “holding” or emergency numbers of services

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

Collaboration and Teamwork
CORE COMPETENCY 1:
Establishes collaborative relationship with colleagues and other members
of the health team

Indicators:
○ Contributes to decision making regarding patients” needs and concerns
○ Participates actively in patients care management including audit
○ Recommends appropriate intervention to improve patient care
○ Respects the role of the other members of the health team
○ Maintains good interpersonal relationships with patients, colleagues and
other members of the health team
Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN
Collaboration and Teamwork
CORE COMPETENCY 2:
Collaborates plan of care with other members of the health team

Indicator:
○ Refers patients to allied health team partners
○ Acts liaison / advocate of the patients
○ Prepares accurate documentation of efficient communication of
services

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN

References
1.http://thenursingprofession.blogspot.com/2009/09/safe-and-quality-nursing-care.html

Theoretical Foundations of Nursing | Jenny-Ann B. Soriano, RN MAN