A nurse who has been practicing for 3 years in an acute care facility is caring for a post-hip surgery patient.The nurse observes an abnormal change in vital signs and associates these changes with a postoperative bleeding problem.The nurse is demonstrating which proficiency level?

A) Advanced beginner
B) Competent
C) Proficient
D) Expert

The nurse is demonstrating competency (competent)level as evidenced by associating abnormal changes in vital signs with postoperative bleeding.Additionally,this nurse has been practicing for 3 years,which is within the range needed for the competency proficiency level.The advanced beginner can distinguish abnormal findings but cannot readily understand their significance.The proficient nurse recognizes problems but will immediately gather resources to initiate treatment; there is no evidence in the scenario that the nurse took any actions.The expert can often recognize a problem in the absence of signs and symptoms.