How has the nursing profession traditionally defined methods of assuring accountability to the public?
Nurses must meet minimum competency in order to first take the licensure exam denoting that theory and clinical information has been validated and that their ability to practice is within safe standards. The concept of ongoing education is stressed during the formal training of nursing school and once licensure has been realized, the professional nurse must take continuing education credits in order to maintain evidence of knowledge and clinical competency. A minimum number of credit hours is required by each state and specific elements such as domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, end of life care issues and medication errors must be included for all nurses who continue to practice for each renewal period. The process of certification also provides a method of assuring accountability to the public for it denotes that the nurse has received additional training in a specialized field of nursing and has satisfied specific criteria that denote either clinical excellence and increased attainment of
