[hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”aboveTheFold” /][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The [hen-ui-link href=”https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/2017_NPCoreComps_with_Curric.pdf” target=”_blank”]National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties[/hen-ui-link] (NONPF) established nine core competencies to guide [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/nurse-practitioner/”]nurse practitioner (NP)[/hen-ui-link] programs. These guidelines help ensure that NPs acquire the necessary skills in the field.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP students must learn the core competencies taught in NP programs, including skills in care planning, patient advocacy, self-awareness, and leadership.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs are held to the highest standards of advanced nursing practice. They provide up-to-date, evidence-based care and educate patients and their caregivers. Learn about the NONPF’s core NP competencies in this guide.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-flex gap=”xl” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-flex gap=”xs” align=”left” direction=”column”][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Popular Online MSN Programs[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″ color=”subtext”]Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.[/hen-ui-text][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-dynamic-experience placement=”belowTheFold” /][/hen-ui-flex][hen-ui-heading variant=”h2″]Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies[/hen-ui-heading][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]While the NONPF does not require institutions to use its suggested curriculum, it provides a roadmap to help students practice successfully by measuring their strengths and abilities before graduation.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]The core competencies apply to all NP specializations. There are 10 broad competency domains, and within each domain, there are more role-specific NP core competencies.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Historically, NP programs have focused more on knowledge-based education: faculty observed students and clinical skills and marked them as complete. NP programs have since adopted competency-based education (CBE) to observe and measure student behavioral assessments.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Below is a summary of each competency domain and some core competencies it contains.[/hen-ui-text][hen-ui-list variant=”ordered” bullet-style=”check”] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Knowledge of Practice[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should understand an NP’s role and responsibilities and share their perspectives with other disciplines. Core behaviors observed include the NP’s ability to describe their role, knowing the science behind the role, and analyzing literature on NP practice.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Person-Centered Care[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should engage with individuals and/or caregivers in establishing a caring relationship, communicating effectively, and integrating cultural competencies, which include patients’ spiritual preferences and spiritual needs. They must also collaborate with family members and share care plans.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Population Health[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP graduates should demonstrate population health management. Their behaviors should demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, legal and social factors that affect populations. NPs must know how to advocate for patients and create health promotion programs.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Practice Scholarship and Translational Science[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should be able to integrate evidence-based practices and peer review knowledge to support and improve their clinical care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Quality and Safety[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should be able to demonstrate their knowledge of quality improvement and implement safety measures for providers, patients, populations and systems of care. Core behaviors NP students should demonstrate are defining, identifying, and applying quality improvement measures.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Interprofessional Collaboration in Practice[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NP students learn communication skills to collaborate with other professional healthcare team members to improve the quality of patient care. The core behaviors NP students should demonstrate include communicating with peers, identifying key disparities and lack of access in communities, and practicing active listening among peers, patients and family members.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Health Systems[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should demonstrate an understanding of healthcare systems, how to incorporate cost-effective care and how to improve systems through innovation and evidence-based practice. Core behaviors NP students should demonstrate include transitioning patients through the healthcare system, understanding billing to optimize reimbursements, and practicing value-based care.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Technology and Information Literacy[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should have a general understanding of technology and information literacy which includes telehealth, [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/articles/nursing-practice-ai/”]artificial intelligence (AI[/hen-ui-link]), and network security. NP students should demonstrate the ability to assess learning needs with digital and communication technologies for patients and families in addition to a self-assessment. NPs should collaborate with other professions to gain new technological skills, and evaluate and identify biases of AI and non-AI tools used in healthcare.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Professional Acumen[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]By graduation, NP students should remain professional and practice ethically, reflecting on the nursing mission to society. Core behaviors NP students should demonstrate are identifying and maintaining professional boundaries between the provider and patient, practicing with integrity with all stakeholders while incorporating a core commitment to [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/diversity-in-nursing-healthcare/”]diversity, equity, and integrity (DEI)[/hen-ui-link], and accepting accountability for clinical decisions.[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item] [hen-ui-list-item][hen-ui-flex direction=”column” gap=”xxs”] [hen-ui-heading variant=”h3″]Personal and Professional Leadership[/hen-ui-heading] [hen-ui-text-stack gap=”xs”] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]NPs should continue to grow personally and professionally by participating in professional development and focusing on [hen-ui-link href=”https://nursejournal.org/resources/self-care-for-nurses/”]self-care[/hen-ui-link]. NPs should also continue to develop leadership skills.[/hen-ui-text] [hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]Core behaviors NP students should demonstrate are self-awareness, knowing how and when to access support systems, and understanding the scope of practice as defined by [hen-ui-link href=”https://www.ncsbn.org/nursing-regulation/practice/aprn.page” target=”_blank”]the Consensus Model for APRNs[/hen-ui-link].[/hen-ui-text] [/hen-ui-text-stack] [/hen-ui-flex][/hen-ui-list-item][/hen-ui-list][hen-ui-text variant=”b4″]These NP core competencies are not established globally. However, efforts are being made to develop collaborative guidelines for NPs worldwide.[/hen-ui-text]