Skip to Content

What are the 6 C in nursing?

The six Cs of nursing are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.

Care is the foundation of a nurse’s practice and is focused on creating a caring environment where each patient is treated with respect and dignity. A nurse should strive to treat their patients with kindness, understanding, and a genuine desire to help enhance their health and well-being.

Compassion is another integral part of a nurse’s practice; it is the ability to understand and respond to an individual’s physical, psychological, and social needs. A compassionate nurse is one who listens attentively and puts the welfare of their patient first.

Competence is necessary to be an effective nurse as this is a profession that requires knowledge and the application of various skills and techniques. Nurses must stay up-to-date with advancements in the medical field and improve their skills and knowledge through continuing education.

Communication is an essential part to a nurse’s practice as it not only involves communicating with the patient but also between health care professionals and other members of the team. A nurse needs to be organized, precise and comprehensive when sharing information and taking instructions from other health care professionals.

Courage is another important factor in nursing; nurses are expected to remain confident and act with conviction when making decisions for their patient. A nurse must also be willing and able to act in the best interests of their patient despite potential obstacles.

Lastly, Commitment is a key characteristic for any successful nurse; it is an understanding of the importance of their role in a patient’s life and that each day is an opportunity to provide quality care.

A nurse must have dedication to their profession and be willing to always put their patient’s interests before their own.

What does the 6Cs stand for?

The 6Cs stand for the 6 principles of nursing care that were originally put forward by the UK Department of Health in 2012, and are now adopted by the World Health Organization. The 6Cs are: care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment.

Care covers the provision of healthcare to individuals, the actions taken to ensure their safety, and the effort to provide them with appropriate resources and support. Compassion is the understanding, empathy, and kindness patients should feel in their care team.

Competence relates to the knowledge, skills, and attitude of healthcare personnel as they take on the responsibility of providing medical care. Communication is the two-way dialogue between healthcare providers and patients, which serves to build trust, understanding, and shared expectations.

Courage takes into account the moral, ethical, and legal challenges healthcare professionals are confronted with, as they strive to make difficult decisions that uphold the best interests of the patient.

Lastly, commitment refers to a dedication to providing quality, patient-centered care that shows a responsibility for health and wellbeing.

Which of the 6Cs is most important?

When considering the six C’s of nursing (care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment), it can be difficult to decide which of them is the most important. Each of the six C’s is critical for providing quality and dignified nursing care to patients, and all must be practiced in order to attain the highest level of nursing care.

However, if one had to be selected as the most important, it would likely be care. Care is the most fundamental of the six C’s and forms the starting point from which the others stem from. To compassionately care for patients requires communication, competence, commitment and courage.

Furthermore, for nurses to provide effective care, they must strive to understand patients relative to their unique biopsychosocial needs. Without the essential component of care, these subsequent core values of the six C’s will struggle to be meaningful, and their impact and effectiveness on patient outcomes will be severely diminished.

No matter which C is selected as the most important, the remaining five C’s must be practiced in complementary fashion to ensure ultimate nursing care is provided.

Why are the 6 CARE values important?

The 6 CARE values serve as the foundation of the cultural pillars that hold up our patient care and service teams. They provide a common language and understanding that all our staff, management and colleagues can identify with and strive to attain.

These values are Respect, Accountability, Compassion, Excellence, Stewardship and Teamwork.

Respect is about valuing others, their opinions and viewpoints, and showing mutual respect and communication. Accountability refers to taking ownership of our actions and results and being willing to be held responsible for them by keeping our promises and commitments.

Compassion involves showing empathy for both patients and colleagues, understanding their feelings and providing care and support.

Excellence is about striving to provide outstanding and innovative services that exceed patient’s expectations. Stewardship is about setting sights on the future and taking responsibility for the environment, economy, and community.

Finally, Teamwork is essential for effective patient care and service delivery and is about working collaboratively and supportively together.

These CARE values guide our interactions with each other, our patients and their families. They are the foundation of our commitment to providing the highest quality of personalised and compassionate care as they remind us to focus on what is important – the best outcomes for our patients and a great place to work.

What are examples of 6 Cs?

The 6 Cs are a set of values widely associated with quality nursing care in the United Kingdom. They are: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.

Care: Nurses are expected to provide care and support to their patients with dignity and respect. Nurses should strive to listen to their patient’s concerns and address them as best they can with a caring attitude.

Compassion: Compassion and empathy are essential qualities for nurses to demonstrate with their patients. Nurses should be able to understand and respect their patient’s feelings and experiences and be willing to offer comfort and reassurance.

Competence: Nurses need to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of nursing practice and remain up to date in their field of expertise. It is essential for nurses to maintain a high level of professional practise.

Communication: Good communication is essential for nurses in order to have a positive relationship with their patients. Nurses must be able to effectively explain medical terms and procedures to patients in a sensitive and approachable way.

Courage: Being a nurse requires physical and emotional strength. Nurses must have the courage to make difficult decisions and handle difficult situations in a calm and composed manner.

Commitment: Commitment is an essential quality needed in the nursing profession. Nurses must be devoted to their job and fulfil their responsibilities to the best of their abilities. They should also remain dedicated to maintaining a high level of service in the healthcare setting.

Which of the 6 C’s do you value most and why?

The 6 C’s of nursing are care, competence, communication, courage, commitment, and compassion. Out of these 6 C’s, I value courage the most. I firmly believe that courage has the power to drive positive change in the world and to make nursing even more fulfilling.

As a nurse, I strive to have the courage to take on new challenges, to push myself and to strive for excellence. Courage helps me to navigate tricky situations and difficult conversations, as it gives me the strength and the confidence to be able to do what is right for my patients, regardless of the obstacles that I may face.

Courage also helps me to always put my patient’s welfare first, and to make decisions that are evidence-based and in their best interests. Courage is always essential in the healthcare industry, as it helps to foster a level of trust between myself and my patients, which is instrumental for providing the highest quality of care.

Ultimately, having courage allows me to be a better nurse and helps me to reach my full potential as a healthcare provider.

What is the most important 6c in nursing?

The six C’s of nursing are an important framework to guide both interpersonal relationships and professional practice. These core values of care, compassion, competence, communication, courage, and commitment are essential for nurses to uphold in order to provide quality care to their patients.

Care is the most critical of the 6 Cs. Care includes providing comprehensive and coordinated care, as well as engaging in collaborative practice with patients, family members, and other healthcare professionals.

It encompasses compassion and understanding for the patient’s experience and assurance that their needs are met, both physically and emotionally.

Compassion is understanding and empathizing with the patient’s situation, providing support and enabling patients to be their own advocates in their personal health care journey. Caregivers must be emotionally present and genuinely care for the well-being of their patients.

Competence is the nurse’s technical and professional ability to carry out their duties. Nurses must have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to deliver quality, safe, and evidence-based care. This requires dedication and involvement in continuing professional development to remain up-to-date with relevant competencies.

Communication is the basis of the nurse-patient relationship and extends to families, other healthcare professionals, and the public. Nurses must be able to effectively interact and centrally co-ordinate care plans with all parties involved.

They need to be able to both provide and receive information in a respectful manner.

Courage is the drive to do what is right and create change even when faced with challenging situations. Nurses need to be resilient and take risks in order to stand up for their beliefs and advocate for their patients’ needs.

Finally, commitment encompasses a dedication to their profession and profession and the pursuit of best practice. It is essential for nurses to work together as a team and remain engaged in the progress of the healthcare organization.

What are the 6 values known as the 6Cs which are important when working in health and social care?

The 6Cs are a set of values that are important when providing health and social care. They stand for care, compassion, competence, communication, courage and commitment, and are used to promote high standards of care and support within the health and social care sector.

1. Care: Care refers to the attentiveness to, and knowledge of, a patient’s individual circumstances, needs and preferences. It’s about empowering the patient to make decisions about their care and ensuring all staff are delivering the highest standard of care possible.

2. Compassion: Compassion involves being understanding and concerned for the wellbeing of others and their needs, showing empathy and providing emotional support. Compassion is crucial for providing care that is both respectful and understanding, helping to ensure that individuals are heard and their needs are met.

3. Competence: Competence involves having the knowledge, skills and confidence to be able to deliver care to a high standard. Ensuring that health and social care practitioners are properly trained is essential for providing quality care.

4. Communication: Communication is likely the most important C, especially when providing care to individuals with different levels of understanding. Ensuring carers understand the individual’s preferences and abilities helps to ensure that they understand the care they need and can communicate it in an effective way.

5. Courage: Having the courage to challenge and take difficult decisions, even when they may be unpopular, is essential to ensure that individuals are given the best care possible. This can involve speaking out against practices an individual might be uncomfortable with or acting within their power to make changes that could improve the care of others.

6. Commitment: Commitment is about staying focused on providing quality care, despite any unforeseen pressures, and continuing to put the needs of the individuals over their own. This includes going the extra mile to ensure the patient is given the best care possible.

What do you consider as your highest value *?

My highest value is doing my best at all times in all aspects of my life. Whether it be at work, in my personal relationships, or in any other pursuits, I strive to put in my best effort and achieve the highest possible results.

This value has helped me immensely throughout my life, as I’ve found success both in my professional career and my personal relationships which have only caught momentum due to hard work, dedication and focus.

I understand that doing my best at all times doesn’t guarantee success, but the act itself gives me the satisfaction of knowing that I’ve done my part and that, even if the results are not what I desired, I can still be proud of my effort.

Additionally, doing my best at all times also encourages me to strive for more and put in extra effort in areas that I’m passionate about.

What is commitment in 6 C’s?

The 6 C’s of commitment are Compassion, Composure, Communication, Collaboration, Courage and Courageousness. This set of six core values creates an environment that is conducive to growth, validation and respect.

Compassion is having an understanding and knowledge of the needs of others and a willingness to help when needed. It’s the act of caring for another person or group of people with kindness and understanding.

Composure involves communicating with intelligence and clarity while also remaining calm and neutral in difficult situations. It’s important to stay focused and positive when faced with adversity in order to help move things forward and reach mutually beneficial outcomes.

Communication is the ability to share ideas, information, and opinions in a clear, concise, and respectful manner. Good communication requires listening to others with an open mind and providing helpful feedback.

Collaboration is working with others in order to achieve a common goal. This includes an understanding of individual strengths, an ability to create an atmosphere of mutual respect that leads to trusting relationships, and valuing the opinions of all stakeholders involved.

Courage is the act of taking a stand, speaking up, and taking action to make a difference. It’s an essential quality for anyone wishing to make an impact in their chosen field.

Courageousness involves having the confidence to take risks and a willingness to go beyond what is expected or comfortable. It’s important to seek out and embrace opportunities to learn, grow, and work with others to make positive changes.

Who wrote the 6Cs?

The 6Cs—Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment—were first introduced in the United Kingdom’s National Health Service in 2012 and became integrated into the Health and Social Care Act in England in 2013.

The 6Cs were adopted by The Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2014 and were shaped by several healthcare professionals, including nurses, midwives, doctors and managers.

The 6Cs were created by Dame Jane Cummings, England’s Chief Nursing Officer from 2012 to 2019, at the time of their conception. She was the one who first introduced them to the National Health Service (NHS), driving the culture change towards nurse and midwife-led care.

After the publication of the Francis Report in 2013, which made 290 recommendations to improve quality and safety of patient care in the NHS, Cummings tied the 6Cs into the Health and Social Care Act as objectives for improving healthcare services in England.

The 6Cs have since become the foundation that guides the NHS forward in meeting their quality and safety goals. The 6Cs are now part of the NHS constitution, referenced in the National Knowledge and Skills Framework and embraced by healthcare providers across England.

Dame Jane Cummings is recognized as the author who created the 6Cs, a fundamental cornerstone behind improved patient, nurse and midwife experience of care.

How do you explain 6Cs?

The 6Cs is a term that is used to refer to a set of values and guiding principles for providing the best possible holistic patient-centered care. The 6Cs are based on the core values of Compassion, Care, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.

Compassion is about understanding the patient and family, being sensitive to their needs, and providing comfort and support. Care means delivering caring actions and taking action for the benefit of the patient.

Competence is about achieving the best outcomes for patients and being professional in the way you deliver care. Communication is the cornerstone of healthcare and its importance cannot be overstated.

Courage is necessary to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and to speak up when things go wrong. Finally, Commitment is the commitment to patients, to providing the best possible care, and to the job of being a healthcare professional.

Together, the 6Cs provide a strong foundation for patient-centered care and are essential components of quality healthcare delivery.