According to the National League for Nursing, Education Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Program, the 8 core competencies of graduate entry level RN include:

• A. Professional Behavior, Communication, Assessment, Clinical Decision Making, Caring Intervention, Teaching and Learning, Collaboration, Managing Care
• B. Professional Behavior, Communication, Assessment, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Teaching, Leadership, Safety
• C. Ethics, Advocacy, Safety, Documentation, Time Management, Leadership, Research, Collaboration
• D. Professional Behavior, Assessment, Communication, Critical Thinking, Clinical Skills, Teaching, Collaboration, Management

Answer: (A)

The question focuses on the NLN Education Competencies for Graduates of Associate Degree Nursing Programs and what eight capabilities a graduate entry-level RN is expected to demonstrate. The best set captures the eight core areas: Professional Behavior, Communication, Assessment, Clinical Decision Making, Caring Intervention, Teaching and Learning, Collaboration, and Managing Care. These reflect the essential functions a new nurse should perform: behave professionally and ethically, communicate effectively with patients and the care team, assess patient conditions, make sound clinical decisions, provide caring interventions, educate patients and families, work well with others, and coordinate and manage care across settings. The other options include terms that aren’t part of the NLN eight (such as substituting Critical Thinking for Clinical Decision Making, or replacing Collaboration or Managing Care with Leadership, Documentation, Time Management, or Clinical Skills), so they don’t align with the NLN framework as stated.