The following position statement has been developed by the ANCI in consultation with the Australian nurse regulatory authorities with the intent of informing the public, employers and the nursing profession about nurses continuing to maintain their competence. Preamble Nurses, registered, enrolled and authorised to practice in Australia are regulated and accountable to the community for providing quality care through safe, ethical and effective practice, and for maintaining the competence necessary for practice.
Nursing takes place within dynamic environments.
Nurses who are licensed to practise are expected to be able to demonstrate competence within their area of practice. Rising consumer expectations, demographic and social changes, changing relationships between health workers, new technology, a greater focus on research and evidence based practice, and new therapeutics allowing a greater capacity to treat a range of health problems underpin the need for nurses to maintain their competence. Today, there is increasing demand for greater accountability from all health professionals for the outcomes of their practice. Employers also have the responsibility to ensure that those they employ to provide a service are safe and competent to practice. It is reasonable for the public to expect that health professionals, including nurses, maintain their competence to practise.