Quality patient care relies on the demonstration of competencies by nurses at all stages of their education and developing career. This exciting textbook is designed to help student nurses better understand the competencies set out by the NMC and equip them to achieve and demonstrate competency as they prepare to qualify as a nurse. The book is divided into sections that address the four domains of competency: Professional Values Communication and interpersonal skills Nursing practice and decision making Leadership, management and team working Suitable for all student nurses on pre-registration degree programmes in nursing across the UK, the book includes examples and insights from the fields of adult, child, mental health and learning disability that reflect a range of clinical and community settings. Amongst other topics this book covers: Communication skills Working with patients and their families Solving problems in practice Clinical decision making Working in interprofessional teams Written by experts, each chapter challenges you to reflect on your own values and beliefs, giving you opportunities to learn and reflect on your nursing skills and knowledge. The chapters include reflective activities, portfolio activities, case studies & vignettes, key points and further resources. An essential purchase for all student nurses. Contributors: Mary Addo, Heather Bain, Debbie Banks, Mary Jane Baker, Owen Barr, Pauline Black, Jackie Bridges, Alison Brown, Jean Cowie, Debbie Good, Ruth Taylor, Kate Goodhand, Chris McLean, Yvonne Middlewick, Avril Milne, Eloise Monger, Delia Pogson, Mark Rawlinson, Beth Sepion, Steve Smith, Cathy Sullivan, Kay Townsend, Alison Trenery. "What we have in this textbook is a user friendly but rigorous presentation of the main competencies for professional nursing practice. Its easy style and 'readability' is one of its most pleasing features and the case studies, information boxes and key learning points give structure to the book as well as helping to engage readers. I recommend with enthusiasm this book to would-be readers. It is a solid and significant contribution to the on-going development of best nursing practice. It should be on the recommended reading list of any nurse who plans, delivers and evaluates patient care." Professor Hugh P. McKenna CBE, Pro Vice Chancellor, Research and Innovation, University of Ulster. "To date, I would consider this the 'must-have' book on achieving competence for any nursing student in all four countries of the United Kingdom." Melanie Jasper, Professor of Nursing and Head of the College of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, UK