In nursing, which competency involves the ongoing development of one's professional knowledge and skills?

The ongoing development of one's professional knowledge and skills is encapsulated within the concept of self-regulation. Self-regulation in nursing emphasizes the responsibility of nurses to take ownership of their professional growth, ensuring that they maintain and enhance their competencies throughout their careers. This involves not only engaging in continuous education and training but also reflecting on practice and actively seeking opportunities for improvement.

Self-regulation requires nurses to stay current with advancements in healthcare, changes in best practices, and emerging evidence-based research. It empowers them to assess their own knowledge gaps and take proactive steps to fill those gaps, thus ensuring safe and effective patient care.

While other concepts like professional responsibility also relate to maintaining competence, self-regulation specifically highlights the individual nurse's active role in their own development and accountability for lifelong learning. This distinction underscores why self-regulation is the correct choice for addressing the question of ongoing professional development.