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Nursing QUESTION #9211
Question 1
According to Patricia Benner's Novice to Expert Theory, a nurse who relies on rules and guidelines but lacks the ability to adapt to unexpected situations is at which stage?
  • Novice
  • Advanced Beginner✔️
  • Competent
  • Proficient
Correct Answer Explanation
Correct Answer: B — Advanced Beginner

Benner's Five Stages of Nursing Expertise (1984):
StageDescription
NoviceNo background; follows rules rigidly without context; no clinical judgment
Advanced BeginnerHas some experience; follows guidelines but cannot prioritize well or adapt to unexpected situations
Competent2-3 years experience; deliberate planning; efficient but lacks speed and flexibility
ProficientSees situations as wholes; perceives deviations from expected patterns; decision-making improved
ExpertIntuitive grasp of situations; no longer relies on rules; deep experiential understanding
Benner's theory guides staff development, preceptorship programs, and performance appraisal frameworks in hospital settings.