When we talk about competency in nursing, it is often framed as something to complete or check off. But what if competency could truly support nurses, strengthen confidence, and build engagement over time?

In this episode of Beyond Nurse Residency, host Nicole Weathers is joined by nationally recognized competency expert Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC. Drawing on decades of experience, Donna invites us to reconsider what competency really means in nursing practice and professional development.

Together, they explore how traditional, task-focused approaches can create fear, frustration, and disengagement, especially for new nurses and high performers. Donna shares a more thoughtful, human-centered approach that emphasizes ownership, empowerment, accountability, and trust. The conversation highlights how organizations can move away from overwhelming checklists and toward systems that reflect real practice and support learning over time.

This episode is especially helpful for nurse leaders, educators, and NPD practitioners looking for practical ways to simplify competency processes while fostering confidence and purpose across the nursing workforce.

GUEST: Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC
Donna Wright, MS, RN, NPD-BC, is a nurse and professional development specialist and consultant with Creative Health Care Management in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She holds degrees in Nursing, Family Sociology, and Adult Education, all from the University of Minnesota.

Over her career, Donna has worked with healthcare organizations across the country and around the world to design meaningful, effective programs that support professional development and competency assessment across all departments. She is the author of The Ultimate Guide to Competency Assessment in Healthcare, which has been translated into Japanese and is used widely throughout Japan. She is also the author of The Competency Assessment Field Guide.

Donna is a co-author of two national award–winning books, Relationship-Based Care: A Model for Transforming Practice and Advancing Relationship-Based Cultures.

Her work has taken her across six of the seven continents, including rural Africa. Antarctica remains the only continent she has not yet worked on.

Throughout her career, Donna has served in both staff and leadership roles and is well known for her energy, curiosity, and refreshing approach to education and learning. She is a member and past president of the Association for Nursing Professional Development and a recipient of both the “Promoting Excellence in Consultation” award and the Marlene Kramer Lifetime Achievement Award.

Website Links: Creative Health Care Management | CHCM Competency CHCM LinkedIn | CHCM Facebook | CHCM Instagram

Articles or Publications: Durkin, G. (2019). “Implementation and Evaluation of Wright’s Competency Model.” Journal for Nurses in Professional Development. Vol 35, no. 6, p 305-316.

Wright, D. (2021). The Ultimate Guide to Competency Assessment in Healthcare. 4rd Edition. Minneapolis, MN: Creative Health Care Management.

Wright, D. (2020). The Wright Model of Competency Assessment: 5-part video Series. Minneapolis, MN: Creative Health Care Management.

Wright, D. (2015). Competency Assessment Field Guide. A Real World Guide for Implementation and Application. Minneapolis, MN: Creative Health Care Management.

Supporting nurses is our priority. Visit https://nursing.uiowa.edu/ionrp to explore our resources for new graduate nurses and beyond.

Competency That Supports Nurses with Donna Wright