Which statement best defines an expert nurse according to Benner?

• A. A nurse with diverse experience and intuitive grasp
• B. A nurse who follows protocol exactly
• C. A nurse who has only classroom training
• D. A nurse who works on a single unit for many years

Answer: (A)

In Benner's framework, an expert nurse is someone who has accumulated diverse clinical experience across many situations and develops an intuitive grasp of patient care. This intuitive grasp comes from tacit knowledge—recognizing subtle cues, patterns, and potential complications before they become obvious—and using it to make rapid, holistic judgments rather than relying solely on step-by-step protocols. This breadth of experience across different settings lets an expert anticipate needs, adapt plans, and tailor care to the individual patient. Choices that emphasize strict protocol adherence, limited formal experience, or long-term specialization on a single unit without broader exposure do not capture the depth of intuition and flexible problem-solving that characterize expert nursing.