Nursing Practice

Step 1: Self-Assessment

Self-assessment is a systematic process of reviewing your nursing practice against NANB’s standards of practice. Registered nurses assess their practice based on the NANB Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses and nurse practitioners assess their practice based on the NANB Standards of Practice for Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners.

The standards of practice are statements that describe the level of performance expected of all nurses in their practice, regardless of their role and practice setting. With each standard of practice is a list of corresponding indicators which demonstrate how a standard is applied. It is expected that all nurses are able to explain how the indicators apply to their practice. Not all of the standards of practice indicators will apply to all nurses, at all times, in all situations.

Your CCP worksheets can be accessed online through your “My Profile”.

To Complete the self-assessment worksheets:

Review the standards of practice and corresponding indicators as outlined in Step 1: Self-Assessment. Reflect on your practice and consider how each indicator relates to your specific role and practice setting. 

Rate your level of consistency in meeting this practice indicator on a scale of 1 to 4 by selecting the appropriate number. Is there some aspect of this indicator that you would like to focus on?  If so, check the box in the last column and continue.

  • 1 = Not at all;  2 = Sometimes;  3 = Most of the time;  4 = Always;  n/a = Not Applicable
  • If you select “not applicable” to the indicators on your self-assessment, please get in touch with NANB as your practice may not be RN/NP practice.

Once you have identified which indicator(s) you may not be meeting consistently or on which you would like to focus, prioritize at least one indicator to focus on.

The indicators(s) on which you decided to focus will appear in the Learning Plan Worksheet. Then proceed to step 2 to develop your learning plan.

“Self-reflection is a very individual process and there is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ way to do it, as long as you learn from it”—Nova Scotia College of Nurses (2018). 

Adapted with permission from The College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba.

When you start your self-assessment consider the following questions:

What is the purpose of a self-assessment?

Practice expectations are outlined in the Standards of Practice for Registered Nurses and the Standards of Practice for Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners. The self-assessment allows you to reflect on and evaluate your practice in relation to these expectations. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers but evaluating yourself honestly will help you identify your strengths and any areas where you can improve.

It’s your responsibility to understand and apply the standards of practice in any role or health-care setting. Taking the time to reflect on how you meet these expectations helps you maintain your practice by giving you the opportunity to:

  • review the public expectations regardless of your practice setting, domain and/or role;
  • review the legal reference that describes reasonable and prudent nursing practice;
  • self-reflect on your practice and take action to improve.

Who is your client?

Identify who your client is before you complete your self-assessment. Remember, your client is the beneficiary of care and may be an individual, family, group, community or population. In some clinical settings, client may be referred to as a patient or a resident. Depending on your  domain of nursing,  the client may also refer to a nursing student, research subject/participant or another RN or NP.

RNs and NPs apply the nursing process in their practice, planning the needs of clients through assessment, diagnosis or determination, planning, implementation and evaluation. The principles of client-centred practice in a clinical practice setting also apply in other domains such as administration, education and research.

What else do you need to know?

  • You need to complete the self-assessment in order to renew your registration;
  • If you select “not applicable” to the indicators on your self-assessment, please get in touch with us as your practice may not be RN or NP practice;
  • We recommend comparing your scores from one year to the next to evaluate if you are maintaining or improving your practice;
  • Looking for more tips on how to reflect on your practice? Try this self-reflection exercise.
  • Nurses Association of New Brunswick
  • 165 Regent Street
  • Fredericton NB
  • Canada  E3B 7B4
  • Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30–16:30
  • Phone: 506-458-8731
  • Toll-free (NB): 1-800-442-4417
  • Fax: (506) 459-2838
  • Fax: (506) 459-2837 (PCR Nurse Consultant)
NANB Headquarters

NANB Headquarters are located in Fredericton, New Brunswick. We encourage members and the public to contact us in person, by mail, phone or email at any time.

If you wish to contact a member of the Board of Directors or Chapter Presidents, please do so through the Association.

Board Member Login

Looking for a Primary Care Provider?

Patient Connect NB is a provincially managed, bilingual patient registry for New Brunswickers without access to a primary health care provider (family doctor or nurse practitioner). New Brunswickers without a provider can register with Patient Connect NB and will be assigned to a provider on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Registration Online

The Nurses Association of New Brunswick does not assume liability, implied or explicit, for errors or omissions in the information contained on this web site.

CNPS TD