Effective August 1st 2020, the Nursing Skills Competency Program is no longer seeking applications.
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers course recognition to set the benchmark for what makes a course acceptable. This independent national standard measures the quality of courses designed to validate a nurse’s skill or skill set in the clinical setting. As a result, consumers, employers, and credentialing bodies gain a consistent, measurable expectation of the knowledge and abilities of nurses who complete an ANCC-recognized course.
The focus of this recognition is on the course, not the provider. Courses must be designed according to ANCC criteria, which include:
- Selecting qualified faculty;
- Demonstration of validity and reliability in the evaluation process; and
- Observation of nurses successfully using the skill or skill sets in practice is also required.
In addition, a portion of courses may also qualify for contact hours.
How to apply
Uses of the Nursing Skill Competency Program
Courses recognized by ANCC help to assess a nurse’s competence in vital skills. These range from learning skills within their practice setting, to setting or specialty-specific skills, to skills for nurses to re-enter the field.
Useful examples include:
- Hospitals substantiate their nurses’ skills to accrediting bodies, third-party payers, and patients;
- Manufacturers and distributors of commercial health care equipment ensure appropriate use of their products in the health care setting;
- Universities demonstrate the skills of graduating nurses and validate nurse refresher courses or skills taught in simulation labs; and
- State nurses associations enhance nurse portability by providing members and regional employers with a nationally recognized skills competency course.
By designing a course according to ANCC criteria, nurses are best equipped to tackle the specific rigors of their role. Through extensive, validated testing methods, nurses are challenged to demonstrate their competence.
Relevance to organizations
The Nursing Skill Competency Program gives organizations the autonomy to design a course that is just right for them. In nursing’s ever-increasing scope, it is vital that organizations can choose specific competency courses; and have them validated by ANCC. This accreditation provides a common language which the public and nurses respect, and allows organizations to design exceptional training to advance health care for all.
Benefits
- Nurses have recognition of their proficiency, boosting both confidence and employability;
- Patient outcomes are improved;
- Organizations can communicate the high skill levels of staff to the public, stakeholders and accreditation bodies;
- Nurses can be educated in cutting-edge methods and equipment;
- Temporary agency workers or travelling nurses have proof of their expertise in specific areas;
- Demonstrates an organizational commitment to nursing excellence;
- Employers can select training based on a national performance benchmark;
- With competency of nurses assured, risks are minimized;
- State regulatory bodies can identify quality programs to validate the skills of nurses, in response to identified needs; and
- Consumers gain confidence that nurses maintain continued competence in patient care skills.
