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Progression Indicators

The AACN Essentials provides a competency-based approach to nursing education that defines what nurses must know and be able to do across all levels of professional practice. This framework encompases 10 domains and 45 competencies that apply to preparing learners in both entry-level (Level 1) and advanced-level (Level 2) programs.

Levels 1 and 2 are differentiated by the sub-competencies, which outline the behaviors learners at both levels should be expected to exhibit. However, these behaviors were not all clearly defined. In order to assist nursing schools with establishing well-defined expectations for their graduates, AACN's Assessment Expert Working Group established the Progression Indicator Sub-Group to develop a national consensus process for the creation of a set of observable behaviors for each competency—the Progression Indicators (PIs).

For more detailed information about the PIs and how to implement them into your curricula, please review the guides and videos below.

Implementation Guides

PI Overview One-Pager PDF Clarifying Expectations with PIs PDF Guide

 

Progression Indicators
Instructional Videos

 

Progression Indicators:
An Overview

In this video, Drs. Bimbola Akintade and Cynthia O'Neal from AACN's Assessment Expert Working Group introduce the progression indicators and how incorporating them into nursing curricula can improve competency assessment strategies.

Clarifying Expectations & Advancing Competency With PIs

Dr. Mary Fey discusses the importance of aligning descriptive, observable behaviors with the Essentials sub-competencies for student assessment.

Clustering Competencies During Assessment

Dr. Dana Tschannen provides an overview of how faculty can cluster Essentials competencies to ensure alignment throughout program curricula.

Clustering Competencies PDF Guide
 

PI Webinar

New Webinar: 
Designing Nursing Curricula for Competency-Based Education: The Role of Progression Indicators

October 27, 2025 | 11:00-12:00 pm (ET)
This webinar will explore how PIs support backward curriculum design, clarify expectations, and align assessments with the behaviors students must demonstrate in practice. By making competence visible, PIs help educators foster transparency, strengthen experiential learning opportunities, and promote equitable readiness for professional nursing practice. 

Register Now

Domains, Competencies, and Progression Indicators

Select a domain below to explore the associated progression indicators.

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Knowledge for Nursing Practice

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Person-Centered Care

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Population Health

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Scholarship for the Nursing Discipline

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Quality and Safety

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Interprofessional Partnerships

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Systems-Based Practice

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Informatics and Healthcare Technologies

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Professionalism

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Personal, Professional, and Leadership Development