Clinical Practice Considerations

What does this mean for RN’s? 

The standards of competence are structured to identify the key areas of competence across all practice settings; there are SIX pou. Each pou is interrelated and demonstrated in practice simultaneously. When practising, a nurse will be integrating aspects of each pou where it relates to their area of practice. Nurses will utilise a range of scientific, relational and cultural, evidence based knowledge to provide effective care to people, whānau and communities.

The term “Pou” replaces Domains and the term “Descriptors” replaces Competencies.

What does this mean for EN’s?

The standards of competence identify the key areas of competence across all practice settings; these are the FIVE pou. Each pou has a set of descriptors which provides further depth and detail of the requirements to meet the pou. Each pou is interrelated and is demonstrated in practice simultaneously. When practising, a nurse will be integrating aspects of each pou as it relates to their area of practice. Nurses utilise a range of clinical, relational and cultural knowledge to provide effective care to people, whānau and communities.

For further information and details of the descriptors you are strongly encouraged to look at the Nursing Council of New Zealand Website. https://www.nursingcouncil.org.nz/

It is every nurses’ responsibility to meet the standards of competence in order to maintain their registration. Therefore if you feel uncertain about your ability to meet any of the five or six Pou it will be worthwhile checking in with your manager about opportunities to improve your skills and knowledge.

If you feel your knowledge/skills in palliative care nursing are in need of a refresh the Otago Hospice RCT can certainly help with that!