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Acute Care Nurses

SOC 29-1141.01Job Zone 4 · Considerable Preparationv.26.05

Context coveredThis framework covers acute care nursing practice across medical-surgical, telemetry, step-down, and intensive care hospital units, from supervised entry-level clinical performance through executive leadership of nursing systems and policy.

Sources:O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.SkillsCrosswalkSkillsCrosswalk — O*NET enrichment + adjacency index. Opens in new tab.
Emerging
Entry / Apprentice
  1. Patient health status data — collect and document using established protocols under direct RN supervision in an acute care unit.
  2. Illness explanations and treatment overviews — communicate to patients and family members using approved scripts and visual aids under charge nurse guidance.
  3. Electronic health record entries — input assessment results, medications, and intervention notes accurately under direct supervision in a hospital documentation system.
  4. Basic cardiac life support (BLS) procedures — perform according to certification standards under direct supervision during supervised clinical rotations in an acute care setting.
  5. Vital signs and physiological measurements — obtain and report to supervising nurses using standard monitoring equipment on a medical-surgical floor.
  6. Intravenous infusion setups — assist with preparation and initiation under the direct oversight of an experienced RN in an acute care environment.
  7. Electrocardiogram tracings — recognize normal sinus rhythm and flag obvious abnormalities for senior nurse review in a monitored inpatient unit.
  8. Medical software and electronic mail tools — use to retrieve patient records and communicate care updates under the direction of unit leadership.
  9. Acute patient deterioration indicators — identify early warning signs and escalate immediately to supervising clinical staff in a telemetry or step-down unit.
  10. Standard precaution and safety protocols — apply consistently when handling blood products and intravenous lines under supervision in an acute hospital environment.
Developing
Mid-level / Established
  1. Acute and chronic condition assessments — conduct systematically using physiological and technology-derived data with moderate oversight in a general acute care unit.
  2. Patient and family illness discussions — facilitate independently, tailoring communication to health literacy levels encountered on a busy medical-surgical floor.
  3. Advanced cardiac life support (ACLS) interventions — execute competently during code situations with minimal prompting in an acute or critical care environment.
  4. Invasive device management — set up, operate, and monitor catheters, gastrointestinal tubes, and central lines with routine supervision in an ICU or step-down unit.
  5. Blood and blood product transfusions — administer and monitor for adverse reactions, adjusting infusion rates according to protocol in an acute inpatient setting.
  6. EKG rhythm strips — interpret common arrhythmias and initiate appropriate nursing responses with limited guidance in a cardiac monitoring unit.
  7. Complex patient care documentation — complete assessment findings, patient responses, and treatment changes accurately and promptly in an electronic health record system.
  8. Radiograph findings — review and identify common abnormalities relevant to nursing care decisions, consulting with physicians as needed in an acute hospital environment.
  9. Time-sensitive clinical priorities — coordinate across multiple patients simultaneously using structured time management strategies on a high-acuity nursing floor.
  10. Mechanical ventilator settings — monitor and report parameter changes to the respiratory therapy and medical team in a critical care or post-surgical unit.
Proficient
Senior / Expert IC
  1. Rapid physiological deterioration — diagnose acute and chronic conditions independently and initiate life-stabilizing interventions before physician arrival in a critical care environment.
  2. Comprehensive urgent and emergent health assessments — perform autonomously integrating clinical intuition, monitoring technology, and laboratory data across diverse patient populations in a tertiary acute care center.
  3. Full scope emergency procedures — lead BLS and ACLS responses, directing code team roles and communicating clinical status to physicians during high-stakes resuscitation events.
  4. Tracheotomy and colostomy equipment, mechanical ventilators, and central line systems — manage the full lifecycle of setup, troubleshooting, and optimization without supervision in an ICU setting.
  5. Adverse transfusion reactions — recognize, intervene, and document complex cases autonomously, escalating appropriately within hospital transfusion management protocols.
  6. Diagnostic imaging and EKG interpretation — analyze findings independently to inform urgent nursing care decisions and collaborate with the interdisciplinary team in an acute hospital setting.
  7. Non-routine patient and family counseling — navigate sensitive illness disclosures, treatment conflicts, and emotional crises using advanced therapeutic communication skills in an acute care context.
  8. Clinical documentation integrity — ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance of patient records across an assigned caseload using enterprise-level health information systems.
  9. Complex problem-solving in deteriorating patients — apply deductive and inductive reasoning to synthesize ambiguous clinical data and determine priority interventions in a fast-paced acute care unit.
  10. Multidisciplinary care coordination — lead daily patient-centered rounds, aligning nursing, pharmacy, therapy, and social work efforts in a high-acuity hospital environment.
Advanced
Lead / Principal / Executive
  1. Unit-wide clinical standards — develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based nursing protocols that govern acute care practice across an entire inpatient department or system.
  2. Staff competency development — design and lead simulation-based training programs for BLS, ACLS, and invasive device management, elevating the skill level of nursing teams across a hospital system.
  3. Organizational patient safety strategy — lead root-cause analyses and quality improvement initiatives in response to adverse events, influencing policy at the department or executive level.
  4. Emerging clinical technology adoption — evaluate, pilot, and champion new monitoring systems and medical software implementations, guiding acute care teams through workflow transitions.
  5. Complex ethical and clinical dilemmas — guide multidisciplinary teams and families through end-of-life decisions, treatment conflicts, and resource allocation challenges at an organizational level.
  6. Nurse mentorship pipelines — establish structured preceptorship and career-progression frameworks that retain and advance clinical talent within an acute care institution.
  7. Cross-departmental coordination — lead hospital-wide responses to surge events, mass casualty incidents, or infectious outbreaks, applying systems evaluation skills to optimize patient flow and staffing.
  8. Regulatory compliance and accreditation readiness — oversee documentation practices, audit outcomes, and corrective action plans to maintain Joint Commission or equivalent standards across nursing units.
  9. Clinical learning strategies — direct continuing education curricula and evidence-based practice initiatives that translate current research into measurable improvements in acute care patient outcomes.
  10. Strategic resource planning — advise hospital leadership on staffing models, budget allocation, and technology investments required to sustain high-quality acute nursing care at an enterprise scale.

AI-at-Work Competency Framework

Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Authoritative source data identified for 998 occupations

How a worker at each mastery level uses, directs, and evaluates AI tools in this occupation. Each statement cites its evidence inline; click a citation chip to verify the source.

Emerging
  1. Clinical reference lookup — uses AI tools to retrieve medication guidelines, dosage references, and care protocols during orientation, verifying every output against institutional policy before acting Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Developing
  1. Documentation efficiency — delegates structured charting tasks such as shift summaries and care-plan templates to an AI assistant, then reviews and corrects outputs to ensure clinical accuracy, reclaiming time for direct patient care Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
Proficient
  1. Physiological data interpretation — directs AI-powered monitoring tools to flag early warning signs in vitals and lab trends, then applies critical thinking to validate alerts and escalate care decisions independently of the AI recommendation Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab..
  2. Patient-family communication preparation — uses AI to draft plain-language illness and treatment explanations, then personalizes and delivers those explanations directly, retaining full accountability for the therapeutic relationship Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Advanced
  1. Clinical decision support governance — evaluates AI-generated diagnostic suggestions against complex, multi-system patient presentations in acute settings, identifying edge cases where AI autonomy is insufficient and overriding with advanced clinical judgment Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab. Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
  2. Team coordination with AI triage tools — orchestrates AI-assisted prioritization of urgent and emergent patient queues across the unit, auditing algorithmic outputs for bias or miscalibration and adjusting workflow protocols based on observed error patterns WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab. Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab..
Evidence pack
AEI usage
Task observations: 34
Augment share: 3.4%
Time saved: 76.1%
AI autonomy: 3.41
SAFI positioning
Top skill: Critical Thinking
Score: 57.9 / 100
precision: category_estimate
WEF cluster
Human-Technology Interaction
human_technology_interaction
Sources:Anthropic Economic IndexAnthropic Economic Index — release_2026_03_24. Opens in new tab.WEF Skills TaxonomyWEF Skills Taxonomy 2021 — Building a Common Language for Skills at Work. Opens in new tab.Jadhav & Danve, 2026Skill Automation Feasibility Index — Jadhav & Danve, 2026 (arXiv:2604.06906). Opens in new tab.

Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework

Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Subscriber feature

Ten durable-skill domains mapped to four proficiency/role levels for each occupation. Each statement is aligned to the Pathsmith taxonomy, derived from trusted grounding data and mapped to occupation-specific O*NET tasks and skills.

1Communication12 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient symptom elicitation — gathers chief complaint and basic history through structured interview while maintaining calm, professional demeanor during patient intake Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Family update delivery — conveys basic illness information and care plan steps to patient family members using plain, non-clinical language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Shift handoff reporting — communicates essential patient status details to oncoming nursing staff using standard SBAR format during handover Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary team communication — relays patient assessment findings and clinical concerns to physicians and specialists using precise medical terminology during rounds Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Acute deterioration notification — communicates rapid physiological changes to the care team with urgency and clinical specificity during escalating patient events O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Written documentation accuracy — records assessment results, interventions, medications, and patient responses in the electronic health record with clarity and chronological precision O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Distressed family counseling — discusses life-threatening diagnoses and treatment trajectories with patients and families using empathetic, structured communication that balances clinical accuracy with emotional sensitivity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Procedural consent communication — explains invasive device placement, risks, and expected outcomes to patients prior to catheter, central line, or mechanical ventilator interventions using accessible language O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Cross-functional status briefing — leads concise, prioritized patient presentations during multidisciplinary rounds, synthesizing physiological data and technologically derived findings for diverse clinical audiences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Unit-level communication standard-setting — models and coaches peers in high-stakes patient communication, including end-of-life conversations and rapid deterioration disclosure, across the acute care unit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Critical documentation leadership — identifies systemic gaps in nursing documentation practices and implements standardized charting protocols that improve legal defensibility and care continuity O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict resolution facilitation — mediates communication breakdowns between patients, families, and interdisciplinary team members during ethically complex or emotionally charged acute care situations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
2Leadership11 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient advocacy initiation — raises patient safety concerns or unmet care needs to charge nurses or physicians when clinical observation warrants escalation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Task prioritization ownership — independently sequences personal patient care assignments by acuity and time-sensitivity during a standard acute care shift O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Rapid response activation — leads initial stabilization response at the bedside during acute deterioration events, coordinating team roles until senior clinicians arrive O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Charge nurse support — assists charge nurses with patient assignment adjustments and unit workflow during periods of high census or staffing variability Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Student nurse precepting — guides nursing students or new graduate nurses through bedside assessment and procedural tasks, providing real-time corrective feedback Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Code team leadership — directs BLS and ACLS interventions during cardiac arrest or respiratory failure events, assigning roles, calling interventions, and communicating outcomes to arriving providers O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shift charge role execution — assumes charge nurse responsibilities during assigned shifts, managing patient flow, staff deployment, and escalation decisions across the acute care unit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Clinical escalation decision-making — exercises independent judgment to activate rapid response teams, order STAT interventions within scope, or initiate transfer protocols based on patient condition trajectory O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Unit practice leadership — champions evidence-based practice changes in acute care protocols, building team buy-in, training peers, and monitoring adoption outcomes at the unit level Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Crisis command capability — assumes coordinating leadership during multi-patient deterioration events or mass casualty scenarios, directing resource allocation and maintaining clinical order under extreme pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Mentorship program development — designs structured preceptorship frameworks for new acute care nurses, integrating clinical milestones with durable skills benchmarks across orientation periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
3Metacognition9 statements
Emerging
  1. Clinical knowledge gap recognition — identifies personal deficits in interpreting EKG rhythms, ventilator settings, or hemodynamic parameters and seeks targeted learning resources Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Post-shift self-review — reflects on clinical decisions made during the shift to identify reasoning errors or knowledge gaps that affected patient care quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Assessment strategy monitoring — evaluates whether the physiological assessment sequence used in a given patient encounter yielded complete and accurate data for clinical decision-making Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Workload calibration — monitors personal cognitive load during multi-patient assignments and adjusts task sequencing to prevent attention failures during high-acuity situations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Diagnostic reasoning audit — reviews own clinical judgment process after unexpected patient deterioration events to identify where assessment data was misinterpreted or under-weighted Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Continuing competency planning — constructs a self-directed learning plan targeting ACLS updates, device competencies, or pharmacology knowledge based on identified clinical performance patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Bias recognition in triage — identifies when heuristic shortcuts or anchoring bias influenced initial patient acuity assessments and corrects course before care escalation is delayed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Reflective practice modeling — facilitates structured debriefs with nursing peers after critical events, guiding the team through metacognitive analysis of collective decision-making patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cognitive error system analysis — synthesizes patterns of individual and team reasoning errors across multiple incidents to recommend systemic changes to assessment protocols or decision-support tools Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
4Critical Thinking11 statements
Emerging
  1. Vital sign trend interpretation — identifies deviations from baseline vital sign parameters and reports findings to the supervising nurse or provider with relevant contextual information O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Medication safety verification — applies the five rights of medication administration to cross-check orders against patient allergies, diagnoses, and current physiological status before administration O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Acute condition differentiation — distinguishes between diagnoses with overlapping presentations using physical assessment findings, laboratory values, and patient history to narrow clinical possibilities O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. EKG rhythm analysis — interprets standard and life-threatening cardiac rhythms from electrocardiogram strips and initiates appropriate nursing interventions based on rhythm identification O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Evidence appraisal for care decisions — evaluates whether standing orders, care bundles, or clinical pathways apply to a specific patient's condition given their comorbidities and current physiological state Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Physiological deterioration diagnosis — synthesizes technologically and clinically derived data to identify acute or chronic conditions approaching life-threatening instability and initiates stabilization interventions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Hemodynamic instability reasoning — correlates invasive monitoring data from central lines or arterial lines with clinical findings to determine probable etiology and guide fluid, vasopressor, or transfusion decisions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Adverse reaction analysis — evaluates patient responses during blood product transfusions or IV infusions, differentiates transfusion reaction types, and executes appropriate emergency response protocols O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Complex case synthesis — integrates multisystem physiological data, radiographic findings, psychological factors, and social determinants to construct a comprehensive clinical picture for patients with atypical or multi-organ presentations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Protocol validity challenge — identifies clinical situations where existing standing orders or unit protocols produce suboptimal patient outcomes and constructs evidence-based rationale for protocol revision Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. System-level critical analysis — examines unit-wide adverse event data to identify structural or procedural factors contributing to repeated clinical errors and proposes targeted corrective interventions Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
5Collaboration9 statements
Emerging
  1. Bedside team coordination — communicates patient needs and status changes to care aides, patient care technicians, and transport staff to coordinate timely, safe patient movement and basic care delivery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Shift handoff participation — engages in structured nurse-to-nurse handoff using standardized tools, contributing accurate patient data and receiving team updates without information gaps O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Interdisciplinary care planning — participates in multidisciplinary rounds by contributing nursing assessment data, care concerns, and patient goals to joint care plan development with physicians, pharmacists, and therapists Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Rapid response team integration — fulfills assigned nursing role within rapid response or code team activation, executing delegated interventions without duplicating or conflicting with other team member actions O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Cross-disciplinary procedure collaboration — coordinates with respiratory therapy, radiology, and surgical teams to facilitate timely setup, execution, and monitoring of invasive procedures including mechanical ventilation and central line placement O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Family-inclusive care coordination — integrates patient and family input into the nursing care plan through structured family meetings, balancing clinical priorities with patient-centered preferences Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Conflict navigation in care teams — addresses clinical disagreements with physicians or consultants through assertive, evidence-grounded communication that centers patient safety outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Unit collaboration infrastructure — establishes shared communication norms, escalation pathways, and interdisciplinary huddle structures that improve team cohesion and reduce care coordination failures across the acute care unit Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Cross-unit surge collaboration — partners with leadership and peer units during census surges or disaster events to coordinate patient transfers, resource sharing, and cross-trained staff deployment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
6Character10 statements
Emerging
  1. Patient dignity preservation — maintains respectful, non-judgmental conduct during intimate physical care, painful procedures, and sensitive patient disclosures regardless of patient background or behavior Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Accountability for errors — acknowledges medication administration errors or documentation inaccuracies promptly and initiates appropriate incident reporting and corrective actions without concealment Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Ethical boundary maintenance — recognizes and refuses to participate in care practices that violate patient autonomy, informed consent, or professional ethical standards, escalating concerns through proper channels Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Consistent professional conduct — demonstrates punctuality, preparedness, and composed demeanor across all shift types including overnight, holiday, and high-acuity surge periods Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Confidentiality adherence — protects patient health information in all verbal, written, and electronic communications in compliance with HIPAA and unit-specific privacy policies O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Moral distress navigation — maintains ethical practice and patient advocacy under institutional or team pressure to deviate from patient-centered care standards, articulating professional obligations clearly to supervisors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Transparent error disclosure — participates in honest, compassionate disclosure conversations with patients and families when care errors occur, following institutional disclosure protocols without minimizing harm Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Equitable care delivery — provides clinically equivalent assessment rigor and responsiveness to all patients regardless of communication barriers, socioeconomic status, substance use history, or behavioral presentation Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Ethics committee contribution — represents nursing perspective in formal ethics consultations for patients facing end-of-life decisions, withdrawal of care, or contested treatment directives Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Professional accountability culture leadership — models and reinforces a unit culture of transparent error reporting, psychological safety for raising concerns, and non-punitive accountability among nursing peers Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
7Creativity9 statements
Emerging
  1. Improvised patient comfort adaptation — modifies standard comfort interventions using available bedside resources when preferred supplies are unavailable, maintaining patient safety and care quality Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Alternative communication strategies — develops creative methods to communicate with non-verbal, intubated, or cognitively impaired patients using gesture systems, letter boards, or technology-assisted tools Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Individualized care plan adaptation — tailors standardized care bundle protocols to account for a patient's unique comorbidities, physical limitations, or psychological barriers, improving adherence and outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Workaround problem-solving — generates safe, effective solutions when equipment malfunctions or supply shortages interrupt standard care delivery for critically ill patients Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Novel patient education design — develops individualized, multimodal patient education approaches for complex chronic and acute disease management that account for health literacy, language, and cognitive capacity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Process improvement ideation — proposes creative modifications to unit workflows, charting systems, or patient monitoring approaches that reduce errors or improve efficiency without compromising safety Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Simulation scenario development — creates realistic acute deterioration simulation scenarios for unit-based training that expose nursing staff to rare but high-consequence clinical events Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Innovation project leadership — leads the design, piloting, and evaluation of a novel acute care intervention, workflow redesign, or technology integration that demonstrably improves patient outcomes Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Creative resource allocation during crisis — engineers adaptive staffing models, equipment substitution strategies, or patient cohorting approaches during disaster or surge events that maintain safe nurse-patient ratios Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
8Growth Mindset9 statements
Emerging
  1. Clinical feedback receptivity — accepts corrective feedback from preceptors or charge nurses on assessment technique, medication management, or documentation without defensiveness, implementing changes in subsequent patient care Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Certification pursuit initiation — enrolls in ACLS, PALS, or specialty certification preparation programs to expand clinical competency beyond minimum licensure requirements Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Post-incident learning integration — participates in debriefs following adverse patient events or near-misses and applies extracted lessons to modify personal clinical practice patterns Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Competency gap pursuit — independently seeks simulation practice, peer observation, or didactic resources when identified as underperforming on a specific clinical skill such as EKG interpretation or ventilator management Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained skill development under pressure — continues pursuing advanced clinical education and specialty credentials during periods of high unit acuity, staffing challenges, or personal adversity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Evidence-based practice adoption — consistently integrates newly published clinical guidelines and evidence updates into bedside practice, revising longstanding habits when superior evidence warrants change Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Peer learning reciprocity — both teaches clinical skills to newer nurses and actively learns emerging techniques from colleagues with specialized experience, treating knowledge exchange as bidirectional Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Lifelong learning advocacy — champions a unit-wide culture of continuous professional development by organizing journal clubs, skills fairs, or grand rounds attendance as routine expectations for acute care staff Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Transformative setback recovery — returns from a significant professional challenge such as a sentinel event involvement or clinical failure with measurably improved practice, sharing the learning journey with peers to normalize growth through difficulty Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
9Mindfulness9 statements
Emerging
  1. Pre-procedure attentional focus — pauses before high-risk interventions such as central line access or blood product administration to verify patient identity, order accuracy, and equipment readiness Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Emotional state awareness — recognizes personal signs of compassion fatigue, stress overload, or attentional drift during shifts and uses brief grounding techniques to restore clinical focus Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Alarm fatigue management — maintains selective attentional vigilance for clinically significant monitor alarms while filtering non-actionable alerts, preserving response accuracy during high-alarm-density shifts Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Intentional handoff presence — gives and receives shift handoff with undivided attention, minimizing interruptions and confirming information accuracy before assuming or relinquishing patient responsibility Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Crisis composure maintenance — sustains deliberate, methodical clinical decision-making during rapidly evolving emergencies such as cardiac arrest or respiratory failure, preventing panic-driven errors Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Patient-centered presence during distress — provides fully attentive, non-distracted engagement with patients and families during emotionally charged conversations including end-of-life discussions or new serious diagnosis delivery Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  3. Mindful documentation practice — completes clinical charting with focused, real-time accuracy rather than retrospective reconstruction, reducing omission errors in high-acuity patient records Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Team emotional regulation modeling — demonstrates and coaches regulated, non-reactive responses during unit crises, reducing collective anxiety and maintaining team cognitive function under extreme clinical pressure Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Systemic mindfulness integration — introduces evidence-based attentional practices such as structured briefings, intentional pause protocols, or end-of-shift debriefs into unit culture to reduce preventable errors linked to inattention Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
10Fortitude9 statements
Emerging
  1. Sustained performance under distress — maintains safe, organized patient care practices during emotionally taxing shifts involving patient death, family grief, or clinical futility without abandoning professional responsibilities Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. High-acuity caseload tolerance — accepts and manages patient assignments of greater-than-expected complexity without requesting reassignment, applying available skills while appropriately escalating beyond personal scope Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Developing
  1. Prolonged emergency response endurance — sustains effective clinical performance throughout extended resuscitation efforts, multi-patient deterioration events, or mass casualty activations without premature withdrawal Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Moral injury resilience — continues delivering compassionate, ethical care after exposure to morally distressing clinical situations, seeking appropriate support while maintaining professional obligations Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Applying
  1. Sustained surge performance — maintains clinical accuracy and patient safety standards during extended high-census periods, staffing shortages, or multi-day disaster activations that stretch physical and cognitive reserves Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous escalation — raises patient safety concerns to physicians or administrators despite anticipated resistance or hierarchical pressure, persisting until the concern is appropriately addressed Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  3. Grief and loss integration — processes repeated patient death and family suffering across a nursing career without desensitization or burnout-driven detachment from patient-centered care values Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
Exceeding
  1. Organizational adversity leadership — sustains team morale, safe practice standards, and collegial support during sustained institutional crises such as pandemic surges, leadership failures, or prolonged resource scarcity Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.
  2. Courageous professional advocacy — publicly advocates for unsafe staffing ratios, inadequate equipment, or systemic care quality failures through formal channels, accepting professional risk to protect patient welfare Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab. O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
Sources:Pathsmith Durable SkillsPathsmith Durable Skills Framework — America Succeeds + CompTIA. Opens in new tab.O*NET v30.2O*NET Resource Center — Occupational Information Network, v30.2 (Sept 2025). Opens in new tab.
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O*NET enrichment · skillscrosswalk.com

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Source anchors that ground each statement

Related titles
Acute Care Nurse · Admission Nurse · Admission Nurse Coordinator · Cardiac Interventional Care Nurse · Cardiovascular ICU Nurse (Cardiovascular Intense Care Unit Nurse) · Cardiovascular Surgery Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (Cardiovascular Surgery ACNP) · Care Transitions Manager · Care Transitions Nurse · Charge Nurse · Chronic Condition Nurse · DSU Nurse (Day Surgery Unit Nurse) · ICU RN (Intensive Care Unit Registered Nurse)
RAPIDS apprenticeships
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O*NET skills
Critical ThinkingReading ComprehensionSpeakingService OrientationCoordinationComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingActive LearningMonitoringSocial PerceptivenessActive ListeningWritingTime ManagementInstructingLearning StrategiesSystems EvaluationManagement of Personnel ResourcesPersuasionMathematicsScienceNegotiationOperations MonitoringSystems Analysis
Knowledge domains
Medicine and DentistryCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguagePsychologyTherapy and CounselingAdministration and ManagementPublic Safety and SecurityBiologyMathematics
Abilities
Oral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionProblem SensitivityOral ExpressionDeductive ReasoningInductive ReasoningNear VisionSpeech RecognitionSpeech ClarityWritten Expression
Work styles
Attention to DetailStress ToleranceDependabilityCooperationSelf-ControlCautiousness
Technology
Medical softwareElectronic mail softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite softwarePresentation softwareProject management softwareWord processing softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP software
Tasks · seed anchors for statements
  1. Discuss illnesses and treatments with patients and family members.
  2. Diagnose acute or chronic conditions that could result in rapid physiological deterioration or life-threatening instability.
  3. Perform emergency medical procedures, such as basic cardiac life support (BLS), advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), and other condition-stabilizing interventions.
  4. Assess urgent and emergent health conditions, using both physiologically and technologically derived data.
  5. Set up, operate, or monitor invasive equipment and devices, such as colostomy or tracheotomy equipment, mechanical ventilators, catheters, gastrointestinal tubes, and central lines.
  6. Document data related to patients' care, including assessment results, interventions, medications, patient responses, or treatment changes.
  7. Administer blood and blood product transfusions or intravenous infusions, monitoring patients for adverse reactions.
  8. Interpret information obtained from electrocardiograms (EKGs) or radiographs (x-rays).
CIP education codes
51.380151.380251.380351.380551.380651.380851.380951.381051.381151.381251.381351.381451.381551.381651.381851.381951.382051.382151.382251.382451.3899

Sources: O*NET v30.2 (CC BY 4.0), SkillsCrosswalk.com, LER.me, Anthropic Economic Index, SAFI (Jadhav & Danve, 2026), WEF Skills Taxonomy 2021, Pathsmith Durable Skills Framework. © 2026 EBSCOed.