Critical Care Nurse Education
Educational Standards & Competencies
There has been considerable work undertaken by the Critical Care Nurse Education Review Forum, a sub-group of CC3N, to develop both Standards for Critical Care Nurse Education and a Competency Framework which underpins it.
The file containing the standards can be downloaded below...
The file containing the standards can be downloaded below...

National standards for Critical care Nurse Education V 2.0 |
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National Step Competencies for Adult Critical Care Nurses
Step 1 Step 1 Competencies have been desiged to provide you with the core skills required to care for a critically ill patient safely, whilst under supervision. It is expected that Step 1 competencies will be completed prior to commencing an academic critical care programme
Step 4
Step 4 competencies have been designed to provide you with the core skills required to take charge in a critical care unit; building management and leadership capability into your professional development, to demonstrate safe and effective coordination and prioritisation of unit workload, workforce and resources. You are advised to keep a record of any supportive evidence and reflective practice to assist you during progress and assessment reviews and to inform your NMC revalidation.
Neurological Specialist Competencies
These competencies are intended to be used in addition to the Critical Care
Network’s (CC3N) Step Competencies for nurses working in a critical care environment which provides care for patients with neurological injury or post neurological surgery. The CC3N Step One Competencies should be completed first as a pre-requisite with Specialist Neurological Competencies following these either before or after CC3N Step Two and Step Three competencies according to unit requirements. Liver Specialist CompetenciesThe aim of this document is to provide comprehensive addition to the National
Competency Framework to cover those working in Specialist Liver Centres. It is anticipated that these competencies will form the next steps in your development and provide you with the knowledge and skills to: • support the specialist nursing care required by the liver patient • understand the different needs of the liver injured patient • understand the importance of involving other specialities and the team contribution to liver care • refer to or work alongside appropriate regional services for ongoing care Mentor Slides
The mentor slides have been by created by CCNERF to try and provide the need to know information before you start mentoring staff using the Step competencies.
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Step 2Step 2 Competencies have been designed to further develop your essential critical care skills and will require enhanced theoretical knowledge to underpin your practice. It is anticipated that Step 2 competencies will be undertaken whilst undertaking an academic critical care programme.
Level 1 Competencies
NOrF and the Critical Care Network National Leads (CC3N) have gathered a wide group of key stakeholders to develop a practice focused competency framework for registered nurses and allied health professionals (AHPs) who care for level 1 patients in enhanced care areas
Burns Specialist Competencies (non-specialist units)
This competency document has been designed by the Operational Delivery
Networks for Burns with consultation from Clinical Lead Nurses for Burn Care across the UK. Is intended for use alongside the National Critical Care Nurses Competency package and is intended for use in areas that admit burn injured patients infrequently. Nurses that look after burns patients on a regularly basis will need to move on to the Advanced burn competency document. Maternal
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Step 3Step 3 Competencies
have been designed to further develop the expert core skills required to safely and professionally care for the critically ill patient without any direction.Step 3 competencies will also be used to underpin academic critical care programmes of study. Trauma Specialist Competencies
We are pleased to announce the publication of the Adult Critical Care Major Trauma competencies which are the product of working collaboratively with colleagues from the National Major Trauma Nursing Group (NMTNG) and CC3N supported by the National Major Trauma and Burns CRG.
Advanced Burns Specialist Competencies (Specialist Burns Units)
This competency document has been designed by the Operational Delivery
Networks for Burns with consultation from Clinical Lead Nurses for Burn Care across the UK. It is intended for use alongside the National Critical Care Nurses Competency package and is intended for use in areas that admit burn injured patients frequently. This Burns advanced competency document is aimed at nurses who look after burn injured patients on a regular basis. Critical Care Best Practice Educational ToolsThese Critical Care Best Practice Tools have been produced by the Service Improvement Lead Nurses from WYCCN, NoECCN and NY&HCCN. Please feel free to use them as educational tools and resources in conjunction with your own units policies and guidelines.
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Clinical Educator Contact Details
Critical Care Unit
Airedale Bradford Calderdale & Huddersfield Mid Yorkshire LTHT Harrogate |
Educators Name
Linda Brennand Stephen Anderson Marie Holden Liz Ellis SJUH - J53/54 - Hannah Smith Emily Gascoyne SJUH - J81 - Amy Donaldson LGI General ICU - Rebecca Leckenby Cat Lyle LGI - Cardiac ICU - Amanda Greenwood LGI Neuro ICU - Emily Rome Eve Geldart |
Email address
linda.brennand@anhst.nhs.uk stephen.anderson@bthft.nhs.uk lindsay.york@cht.nhs.uk elizabeth.ellis@midyorks.nhs.uk hannahsmith@nhs.net emily.gascoyne@nhs.net amy.donaldson3@nhs.net rebecca.leckenby@nhs.net catherine.lyle@nhs.net amanda.greenwood2@nhs.net emma.rome@nhs.net eve.geldart@hdft.nhs.uk |
Links to Higher Education Institutions