Clinical (formerly AFEN) Core Competencies

The Agored Cymru Level 6 (EQF) Diploma in Emergency Nursing (AFEN) is now available for FEN members who are nurse registrants with a PIN to undertake (optional & accreditation fees apply).

Below are the Associate level competencies (AFEN) divided into nine discreet units. Each unit contains four sections:

  1. Knowledge – applicants must show what they know

  2. Intervention – applicants must show what they can do

  3. Patient management – applicants must show how they can apply their knowledge and skills to patient care

  4. Management of self and others – applicants must show how they manage their own workload and manage their relationships other staff

The AFEN competencies framework has been used to underpin the development of nine units, which can be completed as single discreet units or as a qualification:  Agored Cymru Level 6 (EQF) Diploma in Emergency Nursing Associate Level of Faculty of Emergency Nursing (AFEN) which provides 120 academic credits on completion of four units with nine combination options. 

The learning outcomes and assessment criteria of each of the nine units are available under the FEN competency model below, as is an extract from 4 different units which shows both the learning outcomes with their individual assessment criteria.

The individual units have clearly identified learning outcomes and assessment criteria which need to be met to achieve the qualification.

FEN competency learning outcome documents are open access, along with our portfolio and assessment tools.

Individual units and qualification combination documents with the learning outcomes, assessment criteria and competency index for assessor sign off are only available for FEN members to download. Join FEN

The AFEN Education programme which supports this qualification can be joined at any time.  It is included in our AFEN/MFEN membership and is delivered in weekly 2-hour webinars which are recorded and accessible to members 24/7.  Members will receive a CPD certificate upon completion of feedback.  Attendance and completion of a portfolio for submission is not compulsory, this is optional.  Please note that there is an extra cost for accrediting for the optional qualification.

Frequently asked questions

No, the programme can be used flexibly, FEN will support a member to gain a qualification, equally they will support members just wishing to complete some CPD.

This was the only way that we could ensure flexibility for our members to commence our programmes at a time that suited them.

On completion of an evaluation following attendance at a webinar or watching on catch-up, you will receive a certification of attendance.

No, but the unit/qualifications have to be presented to the Internal Quality Assurance Board electronically for them to be accredited.

Both universities and awarding bodies use the CQFW (Credit and Qualifications Framework for Wales) and Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) crediting system. So, attaining 120 credits at level 6 indicates the same degree of difficulty and number of study hours as what would be attained in the university’s final year of an honour’s degree programme. You will notice in job descriptions it often stipulates degree or equivalent – this is that equivalent. This can be clearly seen in the fan diagram found in the CQFW learner Guide[1].

We would like to build on this, so if your question has not been answered please contact us.