With the move towards assuring the public that nursing students are graduating with the needed competencies to step into their very important careers, competency-based education (CBE) has become increasingly important. This book describes how competence is the outcome and how nursing students can rise to meet the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills needed to become professional nurses that make a positive impact on the health of individuals, families, and communities. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has underscored the importance of CBE. Nurse educators throughout the country have analyzed standards, criteria, regulations, and student learning outcomes to define the competencies needed during this disruptive time in nursing education. Nurse educators have creatively and innovatively assisted nursing students to meet the needed competencies in alternative formats, thereby ensuring graduates will have the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills needed to become excellent professional nurses. The book is arranged to assist nurse educators to understand and reflect on the concepts and components of CBE, as well as the pragmatic implementation of CBE. It is a clear, succinct tool needed by nurse educators to move from a traditional nursing curriculum to one that ensures that nursing students are ready for today’s healthcare challenges. This book format uses examples and evidence to assist nurse educators to take the first steps in moving a nursing program towards a CBE and ensuring nursing graduates are ready to face evolving healthcare needs and future events.
