title: Competency: a concept analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Concept analysis of competency.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this concept analysis was to further explore uses of the concept and theoretically define how important the multidimensional aspects of competency are to the professional practice of nursing.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Competency is essential to the profession of nursing, and providing a clear theoretical definition of competency is only the first step. The competency of all nurses and healthcare providers must be assessed to provide safe care, protect the public, and maintain the credibility of nurses. Standards must be established and adhered to both in practice and evaluation of competency.
authors.affiliation: Loewenberg School of Nursing, 201 Newport Hall, The University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA. naxley@memphis.edu
authors.forename: Lawrette
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Axley
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003210:Concept Formation; D004521:Educational Measurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D004650:Employee Performance Appraisal / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009042:Motivation; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012647:Self-Assessment