Table 1 The ranked list of skills areas as identified by respondents

1

Communication and documentation.

99.0 %

2

Privacy and dignity.

98.8 %

3

Efficient and effective communication.

98.6 %

4

Professional nursing behaviours - includes collaborative approaches to care.

98.4 %

5

Medications and IV products.

98.2 %

6

Teamwork and multidisciplinary team working.

98.0 %

7

Planning of nursing care.

97.8 %

8

Personal care – ability to assess, plan, implement and evaluate care of clients across a range of settings using a holistic, comprehensive nursing model.

97.6 %

9

Knowledge of key nursing implications of common medical/surgical patient presentations

97.6 %

10

Cultural competence.

97.1 %

11

Clinical intervention; preparing, assisting after care (investigations/surgery/diagnostic).

95.9 %

12

Preventing risk and promoting safety – duty of care.

95.7 %

13

Clinical monitoring and management - Use of assessment tools.

95.5 %

14

Therapeutic nursing behaviours/respectful of personal space.

94.7 %

15

Critical analysis and reflective thinking.

93.9 %

16

Dealing with emotional and bereaved people.

92.6 %

17

Learner/evidence based practitioner.

92.0 %

18

Demonstrates behaviour conducive to learning.

90.6 %

19

Promotes self-care.

90.4 %

20

Dementia related skills.

90.0 %

21

Learning and developmental culture – learning environment.

89.6 %

22

Mental health nursing care.

88.8 %

23

Coordinating skills regarding nursing process – uses a range of appropriate assessment strategies and skills across a range of settings.

88.3 %

24

Understanding the different roles of RNs in different treatment or care settings.

85.7 %

25

Technology and Informatics.

82.4 %

26

Demonstrates teaching/educator skills.

68.3 %

27

Acts as a resource.

67.5 %

28

Case manager.

58.3 %

29

Supervisory skills.

57.5 %

30

Leadership skills.

38.1 %