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National Nursing Academy

Geriatric Nursing Competency Framework

Explore the Geriatric Nursing Competency Framework (GNCF) guide which provides clarity on the roles, responsibilities and associated competencies for nurses working in the geriatric care settings.

Last updated 7 April 2025

The GNCF is a guide to provide clarity on the roles, responsibilities and associated competencies for nurses working in the geriatric care settings. Nurses in all settings would need to be skilled with these competencies that are industry standards and have incorporated nursing best practices to meet the healthcare needs of the older adults.

Nurses, employers and course providers may use the GNCF as a reference to set job role expectations, develop training roadmaps and design workplace-based nursing education courses. 

The GNCF is applicable to settings ranging from primary care to acute care and community care. The framework lists 5 Job Role Profiles (JRPs) for all the 12 job roles identified in the geriatric care nursing sector, and 8 Professional Competencies (PCs) organised into 4 competency domains and the Person-centred Care Competency domain is further organised into four competency sub-domains.

The Geriatric Nursing Competency Framework Development Workgroup has identified the following 5 existing and emerging skill areas which are crucial in geriatric care. Nurses are encouraged to further develop their competencies in these areas to improve the overall care plan for older adults.

  1. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Management

    • Ability to perform comprehensive assessment for older adults to identify geriatric syndromes and common geriatric conditions to develop and implement an individualised care plan to promote function, mental wellness, and quality of life.

  2. Frailty Screening and Prevention Intervention

    • Ability to conduct frailty screening and implement individualised frailty prevention interventions in order to promote healthy ageing through promoting functional independence, social engagement, and physical and mental wellness.

  3. Person-centred Care

    • Person-centred Care is a holistic approach to delivering care that is respectful and individualised, allowing negotiation of care, and offering choice through a therapeutic relationship where persons are empowered to be involved in health decisions.

  4. Interdisciplinary Approach to Care Management

    • Team-based assessment is essential to provide a comprehensive care plan to address the complex needs of the older adults from hospital to community.

  5. Care Transition Across Care Continuum

    • Knowledge on social determinants of life, and community services can effect on the comprehensive discharge plans so that older adults, families, and their caregivers will be supported. 


You may download the GNCF here [PDF, 1.22 MB] .