What fundamental aspect must a nurse demonstrate to follow performance standards?

To adhere to performance standards, a nurse must effectively communicate and maintain competency in their practice. Effective communication is essential in healthcare as it fosters collaboration among team members, enhances patient safety, and ensures that patients' needs are clearly understood and met. This includes not only verbal and written communication but also active listening skills, which are vital for patient assessment and education.

Maintaining competency is equally important, as it involves staying current with clinical skills, knowledge, and evolving practices in nursing. This commitment to lifelong learning ensures that nurses provide safe, effective, and evidence-based care to their patients. Nurses must continuously update their skills through education, training, and performance evaluations to meet the standards set within the profession.

These aspects contribute to the overall quality of care that patients receive and are fundamental in meeting the ethical and professional obligations of the nursing role. In contrast, practicing independently without collaboration undermines teamwork and patient outcomes, focusing only on technical skills neglects the importance of holistic care, and prioritizing administrative duties over patient care can compromise patient safety and satisfaction.