A commentary on the need for a clinical nursing competency framework in Ghana

Clinical nursing competency framework is crucial in guiding the assessment of the achievement of expected graduate competencies. However, the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) of Ghana does not appear to have a clear and explicit definition for clinical nursing competence nor a clinical nursing competency framework to guide the licensing examination. In Ghana, it is unclear what competencies are assessed by the licensing examination. This article is a commentary that aims to call attention to the need for the regulators of nursing education and practice in Ghana and other African countries to design research-informed clinical nursing competency frameworks for the various cadres of nurses, and use same for the assessment of clinical nursing competence.