The Nurse Qualification Standards are generic criteria that define the educational, experiential, and competency requirements for each grade and level. All nurses are expected to successfully perform activities appropriate to their grade or level. These standards should guide the implementation of competency-based performance standards for each practice setting. The Nurse Qualification Standards include the following 9 dimensions.
Interpersonal skills are an integral part of each dimension.
Professional nurses must possess a broad-based clinical knowledge to effectively implement health promotion, prevention, management of acute and chronic illness, and care of the dying. As members of a dynamic profession in a rapidly changing health care environment, VA nurses must base their practice on current and anticipated trends in health care and be committed to lifelong professional growth and learning.