Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Practice Test – Comprehensive Exam Prep

Benner describes five levels of nursing expertise in her model, which outlines the progression of nursing skills and understanding from novice to expert. The five levels are:

1. **Novice**: A beginner with no experience, who relies heavily on rules and guidelines to perform tasks and make decisions.

2. **Advanced Beginner**: A nurse who has gained some experience in the clinical setting and can recognize recurring patterns but still requires guidance.

3. **Competent**: A nurse who has been in the role for a couple of years and can plan and manage patient care more efficiently, with a clearer understanding of patient outcomes.

4. **Proficient**: An experienced nurse who can see the bigger picture and understands the nuances of clinical situations, making decisions based on a wealth of experience.

5. **Expert**: A nurse who has an intuitive grasp of clinical situations and can operate at a high level of autonomy, often guiding and mentoring others.

This framework helps in understanding how nurses develop their clinical knowledge and skills over time, emphasizing the importance of experience and personal growth in the nursing profession.