The Nursing practice has entered into a period of rapid, global changes which require firm support in order to maximize their role in the health field. Together with the transitional situation health systems are undergoing, this obliges nurses to search for new innovative methods to comply with their professional duties and for the creation of instruments that facilitate the increase in the quality treatment nurses provide, as well as the mechanisms through which excellence in educational preparation and professional compliance are recognized. In the following pages, the authors deal with this focus based on professional competencies as a tool which nears these objectives.