Richard Benner s Theory Of Nurses Developing Skills And...

BENNER’S THEORY - FROM NOVICE TO EXPERT AND ITS ROLE IN APRN PRACTICE Gagandeep Sandhu Samuel Merritt University Patricia Benner’s theory From Novice to Expert is based on the concept of nurses developing skills and understanding of the patients care overtime which comes from their continued efforts towards trying to achieve strong education and personal experience. The theory explains the five levels of nursing experience: novice, advanced beginner, competent, proficient, and expert. Starting from novice where they don’t have any experience and simply follow instructions, nurses finally reach the expert level transitioning through different levels where they rely on their experience rather than principles or guidelines to connect situations and determine actions. Their performance is fluid, flexible, and highly-proficient at this level. Benner stresses on skills through experience as a prerequisite for becoming an expert nurse (Nursing world, 2013). Benner’s theory gives a hope to new nurses and nurse practitioners in a way that experience brings expertise. Benner emphasizes on professional growth within the organization with increased experience. This theory provides a useful structure for practice development and marks out the difference between the functioning of novice and experienced nurses (Lyneham, Parkinson Denholm (2009). It emphasizes on the power of expertise and empowers the nurse to expand her knowledge. It validates the clinical