Nursing Continuing Competencies
- Jason T
- May 3, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 19
Staying Current in Healthcare: Why Continuing Competencies Matter for Nursing Students
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, staying current with best practices and medical advancements is not optional—it’s essential. For nursing students preparing to enter the profession, keeping skills sharp and certifications up to date ensures readiness to provide safe, effective, and evidence-based care. From new technologies to updated clinical guidelines, the healthcare landscape is constantly changing, demanding that future nurses commit to lifelong learning.
One of the most important ways to maintain professional readiness is through continuing competencies—ongoing education and regular skill refreshment. Courses such as Basic Life Support (BLS), Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), and Standard First Aid (SFA) form the backbone of this preparation, giving nursing students the confidence to respond effectively in emergencies.
NURSING COMPETENCIES:
Why Staying Updated Matters
1. Enhanced Patient Safety
Updated knowledge helps healthcare professionals—and nursing students—respond accurately in critical moments. In situations like cardiac arrest, every second matters. BLS skills such as CPR and AED use save lives, and these must be refreshed regularly to maintain confidence and precision .
Why this is important: A 2020 systematic review in Resuscitation found that healthcare providers’ CPR skills begin to decay within just 3–6 months after training . This highlights why annual BLS certification and practice sessions are essential.
2. Adapting to Technological Advancements
From updated defibrillators to advanced patient monitoring devices, medical equipment evolves rapidly. Nursing students who familiarize themselves with the latest tools during their training will adapt more easily in the workplace, ensuring accurate use and patient safety.
Why this is important: Studies show that confidence with medical equipment improves response times in emergencies, leading to better outcomes .
3. Improved Patient Outcomes
Prompt, correct action can be the difference between recovery and decline in emergencies such as stroke, cardiac arrest, or trauma. Training in updated BLS and ACLS guidelines equips nursing students with the ability to act effectively, improving patient survival and recovery rates.
Why this is important: According to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, immediate and effective CPR combined with defibrillation can double or triple survival rates for out-of-hospital cardiac arrest .
4. Professional Growth and Confidence
Maintaining competencies not only strengthens clinical skills but also builds confidence. For nursing students entering high-stress environments, this confidence translates into faster decision-making and more effective teamwork—two qualities highly valued in healthcare.
Why Basic Life Support (BLS) Matters
BLS is the foundation of emergency medical response. For nursing students, annual certification ensures proficiency in:
High-quality CPR
Use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
Airway and choking management
Why this is important for nursing students: BLS is a required competency across Alberta Health Services (AHS), Covenant Health, and the Alberta Medical Association, which all recognize the Heart & Stroke Foundation as their official BLS provider under ILCOR international standards .
Why Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS) Matters
ACLS builds on BLS by preparing healthcare professionals for cardiac and respiratory emergencies. It covers advanced interventions such as:
Stroke and heart attack management
Reading and interpreting ECGs
Airway management and intubation
Safe administration of emergency medications
Why this is important for nursing students: ACLS emphasizes critical thinking and team-based response, skills you will rely on in hospital code teams and emergency departments. Current ACLS certification demonstrates competence in evidence-based care for complex emergencies.
Why First Aid Training Matters
While BLS and ACLS focus on life-threatening emergencies, First Aid training prepares nursing students to manage a broad spectrum of urgent but less critical scenarios, including:
Fractures and sprains
Burns and wound care
Anaphylaxis and allergic reactions
Why this is important: These skills extend beyond the hospital setting, equipping nurses to respond in community and home environments. First Aid certification demonstrates readiness to provide safe and immediate care no matter the setting.
Don’t Let Your Certification Lapse!
Maintaining your certifications shows your commitment to patient safety and professional growth. At Saving Grace Medical Academy (Edmonton’s family- and Métis-owned training partner with the Heart & Stroke Foundation), we provide accessible training designed to fit the schedules of busy nursing students.
BLS Provider (Basic Life Support CPR & AED): Valid 1 year — AHS approved
ACLS Provider (Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support): Valid 2 years — AHS approved
SFA (Standard First Aid & CPR-C): Valid 3 years — OHS approved
👉 Nursing students, don’t let your skills fade—renew your BLS today and stay practice-ready.
💡 Ready to Get Certified? Its a social event!
Be prepared. Be confident. Learn First Aid Today & Save a Life Tomorrow with Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd. Now enrolling: Basic Life Support (BLS) & Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED courses designed for healthcare professionals.
📍 Training for First-Year Nursing Students
Join Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd. for fully certified, CSA-compliant Standard First Aid CPR-C & AED courses—designed for Alberta’s future healthcare professionals.
Just Remember:
Protect Yourself. Call 911.Don’t Waste Time.
RESOURCES:
Author - Saving Grace Medical Academy Ltd
Jason T
Retired EMT - Heart & Stroke Foundation Senior Instructor
