What is the correct order of the five levels of nursing experience?

The five levels of nursing experience, as articulated by Patricia Benner in her framework, are arranged to illustrate the pathway of nursing expertise from a novice level to an expert level.

The correct order starts with the "Novice" stage, where individuals have no experience and rely on rules and guidelines. The next stage is "Advanced Beginner," where nurses start to gain some experience and can identify meaningful aspects of care but still lack deep understanding. Following this is the "Competent" level, where nurses develop the ability to manage their own actions and begin to think in terms of long-term goals. After that comes the "Proficient" level, where nurses see the big picture, understand patient needs more holistically, and make decisions based on experience. Finally, the "Expert" level is where nurses operate intuitively and have an extensive background of experience that aids their clinical judgment.

This framework illustrates a developmental trajectory that reflects not only the accumulation of knowledge but also the deepening of clinical skills and proficiency in practice, allowing nurses to provide high-quality care effectively. The other arrangements presented do not follow this established progression, emphasizing why the second choice is the correct response.