A SHORT GUIDE TO MEETING

Continuing Competence
Requirements
FOR REGISTERED NURSES

College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 1

Continuing Competence Requirements
FOR REGISTERED NURSES

WHY YOU MUST MEET ANNUAL CONTINUING COMPETENCE REQUIREMENTS

This is a short guide to help you to meet the CRNBC Continuing Competence
Requirements for annual renewal of registration. It is designed to remind you about
the requirements and to help you develop your annual learning plan.

To eligible
To be be eligible to renew,
to renew, reinstate
reinstate or convert
or convert to practising
to practising registration,
registration, you meet
you must
must meet two Continuing Competence
two Continuing Competence Requirements: Requirements:

o • practice
practicehours,
hours,and
and
o • personal
personalpractice
practicereview.
review.

By meeting CRNBC’s annual Continuing Competence Requirements, you indicate to

the public that you are maintaining your competence to practise and that you take
your professional development obligation seriously. Meeting this obligation is an
important way to maintain the public’s trust in registered nurses.
Most nurses are lifelong learners who continually assess and improve their practice.
Meeting CRNBC’s Continuing Competence Requirements each year provides an
opportunity for nurses to document what they are already doing.
Keep this guide as a handy reference and as part of your continuing competence
record keeping. You must maintain and retain records of your practice hours and
personal practice review for at least five years.

To maintain the confidentiality of others, do not document any information

that could be used to identify clients, family members or colleagues. Do not
send this guide or any supporting to CRNBC

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 Continuing Competence Requirements
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PRACTICE HOURS REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

Registered nurses must fulfill one of the following conditions in the five years
immediately before they renew, reinstate or convert to practising registration:
• practise a minimum of 1,125 hours as a registered nurse
• successfully complete a registered nurse education program or a nursing re-entry
program recognized by CRNBC
• successfully complete a supervised practice experience approved by CRNBC
• successfully complete a program leading to a degree in nursing or other related
field recognized by CRNBC

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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ELIGIBLE PRACTICE HOURS

As a practising registered nurse, your practice hours may be credited toward meeting
renewal requirements if:
• you held practising registration at the time the hours were acquired, and
• your practice falls within the definition of the practice of registered nursing (see
the CRNBC Scope of Practice for Registered Nurses: Standards, Limits and
Conditions at www.crnbc.ca).
You can count only those hours that you actually worked. Do not count time you were
absent from work for reasons such as sickness or vacation.
It is not necessary that practice hours be paid employment. Volunteer positions or
committee work may also be counted as long as those activities fall within the
definition of the practice of registered nursing.
Keep a Record of Your Practice Hours
_______ Hours of practice January 1 to December 31 ______ year
_______ Hours of practice January 1 to December 31 ______ year
_______ Hours of practice January 1 to December 31 ______ year
_______ Hours of practice January 1 to December 31 ______ year
_______ Hours of practice January 1 to December 31 ______ year

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 Continuing Competence Requirements
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PERSONAL PRACTICE REVIEW REQUIREMENTS FOR REGISTERED NURSES

In the year immediately before renewal, registered nurses do all of the following:
• complete a self-assessment using CRNBC’s Professional Standards for Registered
Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and, where relevant, reviewing the Practice
Standards and the Scope of Practice Standards to identify additional learning
needs;
• obtain peer feedback;
• develop and implement a learning plan based on their self-assessment and peer
feedback;
• evaluate the impact of last year’s learning on their practice.

Self-Assessment

Evaluate Impact of Peer

Learning on Practice Feedback

Develop
Learning Plan

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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SELF-ASSESSMENT
The ability to appraise one’s knowledge, performance and practice is fundamental to
any professional. Competence is the integration and application of knowledge,
skills, attitudes and judgment required for safe, ethical and appropriate performance
in your nursing practice.
The personal practice review builds on the principles of lifelong learning. As an
individual registered nurse, only you know all aspects of your practice and you are
therefore the best person to identify learning needs for your practice. In other words,
you design your own continuing competence plan for your specific learning needs.
Review your practice by thinking about some specific events that have occurred
within the past year. Appreciate and accept how you handled them. Consider the
care you provided and the communication skills you used with your clients, their
families and friends, your co-workers and the rest of the health care team. How did
you feel about the care you provided? What went well? What actions did you take
that made you proud of your practice?
Now recall and think about events, people or situations that were difficult to handle.
Identify what your role was. How did you feet at the time? How did it affect your
ability to give care? Think about the outcomes of the actions you took. Is there
anything you would do differently next time?
It is personally challenging to identify where you want to enhance your practice.
The self-assessment is the foundation of your professional learning and growth
because it guides you in developing your learning plans and activities.
Your self-assessment must be based on CRNBC’s Professional Standards for
Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. The Professional Standards can be found
on pages 8-11 or online at www.crnbc.ca

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Examples of Self-assessment
You can use this space to jot down some of your practice experiences and work
events.
Examples:
• Two elderly patients with lung cancer and extreme pain. I felt that we were not
able to control their pain very well.
• Irritation between staff and "demanding" families is increasing on the unit.
• Teenagers from diverse backgrounds in my community are asking for more
appropriate sexual health education.
•

After completing your self-assessment, identify, prioritize and list the areas you want
to improve or enhance based on the Professional Standards.
Examples:
• Standards 2.1 and 3.6: I want to know more about pain management and
dyspnea for the elderly patient with lung cancer.
• Standard 2.5: I want to know how to better communicate with families who are
challenging.
• Standards 2.1 and 5.4: I want to learn more about how to teach sexual health to
teenagers who come from diverse backgrounds.
•

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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SELF-ASSESSMENT BASED ON THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The primary purpose of the Professional Standards is to guide and direct nurses’
practice. The Professional Standards are statements about levels of performance
that nurses are required to achieve in their practice. The indicators illustrate how
each Professional Standard is applied and met in each area of practice – clinical,
education, administration and research. The indicators provide specific criteria that
are used, when applicable, to measure the actual performance of a nurse. The list of
indicators found in this Short Guide can be applied to registered nurses in clinical
practice. The list of indicators for registered nurses working in education,
administration or research can be found in the document Professional Standards for
Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners.

1. Responsibility and Accountability: I want to improve

my practice in
Maintains standards of nursing practice and professional this area.
conduct determined by CRNBC and the practice setting.
1. Is accountable and takes responsibility for own nursing YES NO
actions and professional conduct.
2. Functions within the legally recognized scope of practice of YES NO
nursing and within all relevant legislation.
3. Follows and/or helps to develop agency or department YES NO
policies and evidence-based care standards.
4. Takes action to promote the provision of safe, appropriate YES NO
and ethical care to clients.

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2. Specialized Body of Knowledge: I want to improve

my practice in
Bases practice on the best evidence from nursing science and this area.
other sciences and humanities.
1. Knows how and where to find needed information to YES NO
support the provision of safe, appropriate and ethical client
care.
2. Shares nursing knowledge with clients, colleagues, students YES NO
and others.
3. Interprets and uses current evidence from research and YES NO
other credible sources to make practice decisions.
4. Understands and communicates nursing’s contribution to YES NO
the health of clients.
5. Uses relationship and communication theory appropriately YES NO
in interactions with clients, colleagues and others.

3. Competent Application of Knowledge: I want to improve

my practice in
Makes decisions about actual or potential problems and this area.
strengths, plans and performs interventions, and evaluates
outcomes.
1. Collects information on client status from a variety of YES NO
sources using assessment skills including observation,
communication and physical assessment.
2. Identifies, analyzes and uses relevant and valid information YES NO
when making decisions about client status and reporting
client outcomes.
3. Communicates client status, using verifiable information, in YES NO
terminology used in the practice setting.

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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4. Develops plans of care that include data about YES NO

assessments, decisions about client status, planned
interventions and evaluation criteria for client outcomes.
5. Sets priorities when planning and giving care. YES NO
6. Carries out interventions in accordance with policies, YES NO
guidelines and care standards.
7. Evaluates client’s response to interventions and revises the YES NO
plan as necessary.
8. Documents timely and appropriate reports of assessments, YES NO
decisions about client status, plans, interventions and
client outcomes.
9. Initiates, maintains and terminates professional YES NO
relationships in an appropriate manner.

4. Code of Ethics: I want to improve

my practice in
Adheres to the ethical standards of the nursing profession. this area.
1. Upholds the values contained in the Canadian Nurses YES NO
Association (CNA) Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses,
namely:
- Providing safe, compassionate, competent and
ethical care
- Promoting health and well-being
- Promoting and respecting informeddecision-making
- Preserving dignity
- Maintaining privacy and confidentiality
- Promoting justice
- Being accountable
2. Consistently practises according to the ethical YES NO
responsibilities in the CNA Code of Ethics for Registered
Nurses.

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5. Provision of Service in the Public Interest: I want to improve

my practice in
Provides nursing services and collaborates with other this area.
members of the health care team in providing health care
services.
1. Communicates, collaborates and consults with other YES NO
members of the health care team about the client’s care.
2. Assigns and delegates appropriately to other members of YES NO
the health care team.
3. Guides other members of the health care team as YES NO
appropriate.
4. Advocates and participates in changes to improve client YES NO
care and nursing practice.
5. Reports unsafe practice or professional misconduct to YES NO
appropriate person or body.
6. Assists clients to learn about the health care system and YES NO
accessing appropriate health care services.

6. Self-regulation: I want to improve

my practice in
Assumes primary responsibility for maintaining competence
this area.
and fitness to practice.
1. Maintains current registration. YES NO
2. Practises within own level of competence. YES NO
3. Meets the requirements for continuing competence, YES NO
including investing own time, effort or other resources to
meet identified learning goals.
4. Maintains own physical, psychological and emotional YES NO
fitness to practice.

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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PEER FEEDBACK
Giving each other feedback is something we do verbally and non-verbally on a daily
basis.
• Identify a peer, such as a co-worker, nursing colleague, supervisor or other health
professional who you can trust and discuss your practice with openly. Ask this
person if she or he is willing to give you feedback on your practice. Some nurses
choose to meet as a group to provide feedback to one another.

Asking for Feedback

• Based on your self-assessment, identify the practice experiences, issues and
concerns you want to discuss with your peer.
• Select a time and place without distractions for your conversation.
• Indicate what you’d like to cover and why it’s important.
• Review some of your practice experiences, issues and concerns with your peer.
• Be specific about your abilities, identified strengths and areas for growth,
learning and enhancement.
• You may want to share ideas about learning activities and even plan to address
them together or with a group.

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Giving Feedback
• Be guided by your peer and her/his self-assessment in your feedback. Your
comments should be supportive and constructive.
• Be attentive to feelings and non-verbal cues expressed by each of you. This can
be done asking "is it okay?" throughout the conversation.
• Be thoughtful in your comments and tone.
• Direct your feedback to what is specifically asked for.
• Provide time for discussion; create an opportunity for validating and exploring
practice strengths, needs and ideas.

Receiving Feedback
• Take time to listen, understand and consider what is being said by rephrasing,
and being interested in the other person’s point of view.
• Ask questions about how your peer sees you. Ask for suggestions on how to
enhance your practice and grow professionally.
• Two questions you might want to keep in mind when asking your peer for
feedback:
What do I do best?
Is there some aspect of my practice I can improve?
• Giving feedback is not an easy thing to do. Show appreciation for the feedback
you receive.

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A LEARNING PLAN

Using the information gathered in your self-assessment and from your peer
feedback, it is now time to develop and implement a learning plan.

WHAT I WANT TO LEARN HOW I PLAN TO LEARN IT

Example:
• pain management for elderly • contact clinical resource nurse
cancer patients (Standards 2.1 from cancer agency o contact
and 3.6) CRNBC library
• request inservice on the unit

• Identify your learning needs and decide which are most important.
• Think about how these learning needs can be met. Identify the ways you learn most effectively
and decide if these are the best methods for learning the content.
• Select learning opportunities in light of personal, professional and external circumstances.
• Set a timeline.

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EVALUATE THE EFFECT OF THE LEARNING ON YOUR PRACTICE

After you have implemented your learning plan, consider if you have met your
learning needs and identify how your practice has changed accordingly. You may find
that this evaluation leads into your self-assessment in the following year.

DID IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HOW

Example:
• I have a better ability to assess pain in elderly clients.
• We have developed and implemented new pain management guidelines on
our unit.

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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Examples of Continuing Competence Learning Activities

• Initiate small group discussion with colleagues using case studies.
• Network and consult with experts in your organization, around the province and
beyond.
• Use the internet and other electronic resources.
• Borrow books, or obtain journal articles from the library at your facility or the
CRNBC Helen Randal Library.
• Attend rounds, clinical practice updates, inservices and workshops.
• Attend your local college or take online courses.
• Go to conferences.
• Create a study group with your peers to address specific topics of interest.
• Organize meetings to deal with difficult and challenging issues.

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CRNBC RESOURCES
CRNBC resources, including those listed below, are available online at www.crnbc.ca
• Registration Standard Continuing Competence for Registered Nurses (pub. 458)
• Standards of Practice
- Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners in
British Columbia (pub. 128)
- Scope of Practice for Registered Nurses: Standards, Limits and Conditions
(pub. 433)
- Practice Standards
• Continuing Competence Tutorial
Visit the Learning Centre on the CRNBC website www.crnbc.ca
• Continuing Competence Videos
Online in the Registration, Renewal & Continuing Competence section
• Other Resources
Contact your local CRNBC workplace representative or nursing practice advisor
(contact information for nursing practice advisors can be found at www.crnbc.ca)
or call a CRNBC registration assessor at 604.736.7331 or 1.800.565.6505.

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Continuing Competence Requirements
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CONTINUING COMPETENCE CHECKLIST FOR RNS

Do I have enough practice hours?

 Practice hours (calculated from January 1 to December 31 yearly)

Have I completed the Personal Practice Review Requirements?

 Complete a self-assessment using CRNBC’s Professional Standards for
Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners and, where relevant, reviewing the
Practice Standards and the Scope of Practice Standards to identify additional
learning needs
Think about several practice situations over the past few months.
• Ask yourself how you did in these situationsand identify your strengths. Also
identify those areas where you are less comfortable and feel there is room to
improve your knowledge, skills or judgment.
• Use the CRNBC Professional Standards for Registered Nurses and Nurse
Practitioners to help identify these areas.
• Review the Practice Standards and the Scope of Practice Standards when they
are relevant to your practice.

The six Professional Standards are:

1. Responsibility and Accountability
2. Specialized Body of Knowledge
3. Competent Application of Knowledge
4. Code of Ethics
5. Provision of Service in the Public Interest
6. Self-regulation

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 Continuing Competence Requirements
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 Obtain peer feedback: Learn from each other

Identify a peer who you trust and who is familiar with your practice to give you
feedback on your practice.
• Talk, review and share practice experiences, issues and concerns.
• Discuss and ask for comments about areas of practice where you have identified
your strengths and where you want to improve your practice.

 Develop and implement a learning plan

Now that you have done your self-assessment and asked for peer feedback:
• Identify your learning needs, think about how these can be met and the learning
opportunities available to you.
• Think about using clinical practice updates, journal articles, internet, audiovisual
resources, patient conferences, peer learning, teleconferences, workshops,
television programs, books, inservices, online programs, etc.
• Plan and carry out the activities you chose.

 Evaluate the effects of your learning activities on your practice

• Ask yourself if the activities you’ve participated in are enhancing your practice.
• Keep a record of your activities, your ideas and their impact on your practice.

Date ________________________________________________________________

KEEP YOUR ANNUAL CONTINUING COMPETENCE RECORDS FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS

Each year, CRNBC audits a sample of practising registrants to monitor their compliance with
the Continuing Competence Program.

College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia 19

 2855 Arbutus Street
Vancouver, British Columbia
Canada V6J 3Y8
Tel: 604.736.7331
Toll-free: 1.800.565.6505
www.crnbc.ca

© Copyright College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia/October 2009 Pub. No. 364