What are the 6 domains of nursing? Clarifying the Core Principles

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

While many people ask, “What are the 6 domains of nursing?”, the query often refers to a set of guiding principles known as the 6 Cs of Nursing. A structured framework is essential for professional practice, and understanding which one applies is key to a nurse’s career development.

Quick Summary

The phrase commonly refers to the 6 Cs of Nursing, which are Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. While other frameworks exist, like the AACN's ten domains, the '6 Cs' are the most recognized set of guiding principles for modern nursing practice.

Key Points

6 Cs vs. 6 Domains: The question "What are the 6 domains of nursing?" typically refers to the 6 Cs of Nursing: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment.
AACN Framework: The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) actually uses a framework of ten essential domains for nursing education and competency standards.
Behavioral vs. Competency Focus: The 6 Cs are behavioral values focusing on how nurses deliver care, while the AACN domains are competency-based, outlining the what of nursing practice.
Application in Practice: Applying these principles involves delivering compassionate care, maintaining professional competence, and advocating for patients' rights, among other things.
Continuous Learning: Understanding these frameworks is crucial for both new and experienced nurses, highlighting the importance of continuous learning and professional development.
Ethical Foundation: Both sets of principles underscore the ethical and moral foundation of nursing, guiding decision-making and ensuring patient well-being.
Professional Integrity: Upholding these standards demonstrates a nurse's commitment to the profession and their patients.

Clarifying the Confusion: Is it the '6 Domains' or the '6 Cs'?

The term “What are the 6 domains of nursing?” can be confusing because there is no single, universally standardized framework consisting of exactly six domains. The most likely answer people are looking for relates to the 6 Cs of Nursing, a framework developed in 2012 by NHS England to articulate the values that underpin compassionate care. For students and experienced nurses alike, it is important to distinguish between this and other prominent frameworks, such as the ten core competency domains outlined by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This article will delve into the popular 6 Cs while also providing context on other influential frameworks to provide a comprehensive understanding.

The 6 Cs of Nursing: Foundational Principles

The 6 Cs represent the core values that should guide every nursing professional's actions. They are simple to remember yet profound in their application, impacting patient experience and care quality.

Care: At the heart of nursing is the act of caring. This involves addressing a patient’s physical needs as well as their emotional and psychological well-being. Good care is not just about administering medication but also about creating a supportive, empathetic, and healing environment.
Compassion: This goes beyond empathy to demonstrate genuine concern and understanding for a patient's situation. Compassion drives nurses to act with kindness and warmth, making patients feel valued and respected, which is crucial for building trust.
Competence: This refers to the knowledge, skills, and training required to deliver safe and effective care. A competent nurse stays current with medical advancements and best practices, ensuring they can confidently handle any situation and provide high-quality, evidence-based care.
Communication: Effective communication is fundamental to nursing. It involves clear and empathetic dialogue with patients, families, and other healthcare team members. Strong communication prevents errors, fosters teamwork, and ensures everyone is aligned on the care plan.
Courage: The courage in nursing is the moral strength to do the right thing, even when it is difficult. This includes advocating for a patient, speaking up about safety concerns, and challenging outdated practices for the sake of improving care.
Commitment: This is a lifelong dedication to the nursing profession and the well-being of patients. Committed nurses consistently strive for excellence, actively participating in their own development and pushing for positive change within the healthcare system.

The AACN's Ten Essential Domains: A Competency-Based Approach

For a broader, competency-based perspective, particularly within nursing education, the AACN's Essentials framework is highly influential. While this framework lists ten domains, it is a critical reference for understanding the scope of professional nursing. The six domains from this list that are most relevant to general practice and patient interaction are:

Knowledge for Nursing Practice: Applying knowledge from nursing science and other disciplines.
Person-Centered Care: Providing holistic, respectful, and compassionate care centered on the patient's needs and values.
Population Health: Addressing the health of populations and health disparities.
Quality and Safety: Using quality improvement and safety science to continuously improve care.
Interprofessional Partnerships: Collaborating effectively with other healthcare professionals.
Professionalism: Exhibiting integrity, accountability, and ethical behavior.

For more information on the full AACN Essentials framework, you can visit the official American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) website.

Comparing the 6 Cs and AACN Domains

While the 6 Cs and the AACN domains both serve to guide nursing practice, they approach the profession from different angles. The 6 Cs are a set of core values, while the AACN domains outline specific competencies expected at different levels of education. The table below provides a quick comparison.


Feature	6 Cs of Nursing	AACN Ten Essential Domains
Purpose	Guiding values for compassionate care.	Framework for nursing education and competency standards.
Focus	Emphasizes the how and why of patient interaction (behavioral).	Specifies the what and how of nursing practice (competency-based).
Origin	NHS England (2012).	American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2021).
Overlap	Concepts like Compassion and Communication align with AACN's Person-Centered Care and Interprofessional Partnerships.	Covers a broader scope including population health, informatics, and systems-based practice.

How to Apply These Guiding Principles in Practice

Integrating these principles into daily practice is what truly defines an excellent nurse. Here are some actionable steps:

For the 6 Cs: Cultivate compassionate care by actively listening to patient concerns without judgment. Demonstrate competence by participating in continuing education and professional development courses. Show courage by advocating for a patient's wishes, even if it is an unpopular decision. Uphold commitment by always striving to provide the best possible care.
For the AACN Domains: Actively seek interprofessional collaboration with other members of the healthcare team. Use evidence-based practice to guide your clinical decisions. Engage in continuing education to expand your knowledge base. Reflect on your daily actions to ensure you are consistently upholding the highest standards of professionalism.

Conclusion

The question of “What are the 6 domains of nursing?” does not have a single, universal answer. It can refer to several different, yet important, frameworks. Most often, the term points to the popular and influential 6 Cs of Nursing: Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. While the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) uses a more comprehensive framework of ten domains for educational standards, understanding both is essential for any nurse dedicated to providing high-quality, ethical, and compassionate patient care. By embracing these principles, nurses can ensure they are not only technically proficient but also emotionally and ethically prepared to meet the complex needs of their patients and the healthcare system. The journey to becoming a truly exceptional nurse is one of continuous learning and commitment to these foundational values.

Frequently Asked Questions

The primary purpose of the 6 Cs of Nursing is to provide a set of core values—Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment—to guide nurses in delivering compassionate, high-quality, and ethical patient-centered care.

The AACN domains, of which there are ten, are a competency-based framework for nursing education. They cover a broader range of skills and knowledge, including population health and informatics, while the 6 Cs are focused on the foundational values and behaviors of compassionate care.

No, the 6 Cs of Nursing and the AACN domains are not legally binding mandates. However, they are widely recognized professional and ethical standards that guide nursing practice. Healthcare facilities often incorporate these principles into their policies.

A nurse can apply the "Courage" domain by advocating for a patient's wishes, speaking up about potential safety concerns or questionable practices, or making difficult decisions under pressure that are in the patient's best interest.

Commitment is considered a vital principle because it signifies a nurse's lifelong dedication to the profession, continuous learning, and consistently striving to improve patient care and enhance the overall patient experience.

The 6 Cs are universal principles that apply to all nursing roles and specializations, not just clinical nurses. They are relevant to nurse educators, administrators, researchers, and policymakers, guiding the profession as a whole.

Clear and effective communication is essential for preventing errors, ensuring patient safety, and building trusting relationships. It facilitates collaboration with colleagues, patients, and families, leading to better outcomes and a more cohesive healthcare team.