Which are the 6 C's of nursing care? A Comprehensive Guide to Core Values

September 23, 2025 •

4 min read

Initiated in 2012 through the 'Compassion in Practice' strategy by NHS England, the 6 C's of nursing care were introduced to refocus healthcare on foundational values that improve patient experience. By embracing this framework, nurses and other healthcare professionals can ensure their practice is consistently excellent. Understanding which are the 6 C's of nursing care is not just a professional guideline but a pathway to delivering high-quality, person-centered support.

Quick Summary

The 6 C's of nursing care are the six core values of Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment. These principles provide a framework for healthcare professionals to guide their actions and interactions, ensuring they deliver compassionate, high-quality, and person-centered care.

Key Points

Care is the foundation: The first 'C' emphasizes providing attentive, present, and respectful service to meet a patient's needs beyond just their treatment.
Compassion is empathy in action: This principle focuses on truly understanding and connecting with a patient's experience to alleviate their distress through kindness and empathy.
Competence ensures safety: Being competent means having the knowledge, skills, and commitment to lifelong learning necessary to provide safe and high-quality care based on the latest evidence.
Communication is a two-way street: This is about listening actively and effectively conveying information to patients, families, and colleagues to ensure clarity and safety.
Courage enables advocacy: It is the strength to do the right thing for a patient, advocate for their needs, and speak up when concerns arise.
Commitment drives excellence: This value signifies a dedication to the nursing profession and the well-being of patients, motivating continuous professional improvement and higher standards of care.

Introduction to the 6 C's Framework

In the dynamic field of healthcare, patient care is about more than just technical skills and medical knowledge. It requires a set of core values that guide professional conduct and ensure the highest standard of support is delivered. The framework of the 6 C's of nursing care was established to address this need, emphasizing the crucial human element in healthcare. These six interconnected principles serve as a moral compass, encouraging healthcare professionals to deliver care that is not only effective but also empathetic, respectful, and dignified. While originally created for NHS England, these values have been adopted worldwide, influencing nursing practice far beyond the UK.

The Six Pillars of Modern Nursing

Each 'C' represents a vital component of compassionate and professional nursing. Together, they form a holistic approach to patient care that prioritizes well-being, safety, and positive outcomes.

1. Care: The Foundational Principle

Care is the core of the nursing profession and the first of the 6 C's. It goes beyond the practical administration of treatments and procedures to encompass a deeper commitment to meeting a patient's physical, emotional, and psychological needs. A caring nurse is one who is present, attentive, and consistently makes the patient feel valued and supported, creating a healing environment where individuals feel safe and respected. This means seeing the patient not as a list of symptoms, but as a whole person with individual needs and preferences.

2. Compassion: Empathy in Action

Compassion is the active demonstration of empathy. It is the ability to connect with a patient's experience and, most importantly, act to lessen their distress. When nurses act with genuine concern and understanding, they build trust with their patients and their families. This deep human connection has been shown to improve patient outcomes and fosters stronger, more meaningful relationships within the healthcare setting. Compassionate care ensures that treatment is delivered with kindness, respect, and dignity, acknowledging the patient's perspective in their journey to recovery.

3. Competence: The Mastery of Skills

Competence is the bedrock of safe and effective nursing practice. It requires nurses to possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and training to provide high-quality care based on the latest evidence. The healthcare landscape is constantly evolving, making a commitment to lifelong learning essential. Competent nurses stay up-to-date with medical advancements, best practices, and new technologies, which ensures they are confident, adaptable, and prepared for any situation. This mastery of craft is critical for instilling trust in patients and colleagues alike.

4. Communication: The Bridge to Understanding

Clear, effective, and open communication is indispensable in nursing. This includes not only providing instructions and information but also actively listening to patients, their families, and the wider healthcare team. Robust communication prevents errors, enhances patient safety, and creates a culture of trust and collaboration. It is a two-way street that ensures patients are heard, their decisions are respected, and everyone involved is on the same page regarding the plan of care. Communication skills can overcome barriers such as language, physical challenges, or emotional distress.

5. Courage: Doing the Right Thing

Courage in nursing means possessing the personal strength to stand up for what is right, even in difficult or challenging situations. This involves advocating for a patient's best interests, speaking up when there are concerns about their care, and challenging unsafe or outdated practices. It empowers nurses to make tough decisions under pressure and to drive positive social change within the healthcare industry. The courage to speak up acts as a vital safeguard for patient welfare and ensures ethical conduct is maintained.

6. Commitment: A Lifelong Journey

Commitment is the unwavering dedication to the nursing profession and to the well-being of patients. It involves consistently giving your best, striving for excellence, and embracing professional development to improve the quality of care provided. Committed nurses see their role as more than just a job; they are mentors, advocates, and leaders. This long-term dedication ensures consistency and reliability in patient support and drives continuous improvement in healthcare standards.

A Comparison of the 6 C's


C	Core Meaning	Practical Example	Impact on Patient
Care	Attentive and present service delivery	Offering emotional support to a distressed patient	Builds trust and creates a healing environment
Compassion	Empathy acted upon to relieve suffering	Explaining a procedure with gentle kindness	Makes patients feel heard and valued
Competence	Applying knowledge and skills effectively	Accurately monitoring a patient's vitals and needs	Ensures patient safety and effective treatment
Communication	Listening and informing clearly	Explaining discharge instructions simply	Prevents errors and promotes understanding
Courage	Speaking up for patient rights	Advocating for a patient's preferences against opposition	Empowers the patient and protects their rights
Commitment	Dedication to professional growth	Completing additional training for new skills	Guarantees consistently high standards of care

Conclusion: The Enduring Significance of the 6 C's

The 6 C's of nursing care—Care, Compassion, Competence, Communication, Courage, and Commitment—provide a timeless and universal foundation for nursing practice. They ensure that the delivery of healthcare is not just a clinical process but a deeply human one. By embodying these values, nurses can profoundly impact patient outcomes, foster strong relationships, and continually elevate the standard of care. These principles serve as a powerful reminder that while technology and treatments may evolve, the human qualities of nursing remain the most critical part of the profession.

To learn more about the strategic framework behind these values, you can find the original NHS England guide here: Compassion in Practice.

Frequently Asked Questions

The 6 C's were first introduced in 2012 as part of NHS England's 'Compassion in Practice' strategy, championed by then Chief Nursing Officer Jane Cummings, to place greater emphasis on core values in healthcare.

Care is the physical, emotional, and psychological support a nurse provides, forming the core function of their role. Compassion is the manner in which that care is delivered—with empathy, respect, and dignity—to alleviate suffering.

Competence ensures patient safety and effective treatment. It requires nurses to possess the necessary skills and clinical expertise, and to stay current with evidence-based practices through continuous learning.

For a nurse, courage involves having the personal and professional strength to do what is right, even in challenging situations. This includes advocating for patients and speaking up about potential concerns.

A nurse demonstrates commitment by showing dedication to their patients' well-being, striving for continuous improvement, and actively participating in ongoing professional development.

No, while they originated in the UK, the 6 C's are regarded as universal guiding principles that have been widely adopted by healthcare professionals around the world.

By consistently practicing the 6 C's, nurses can build stronger patient relationships, improve communication, ensure safer care, and create a more compassionate environment, all of which contribute to better health outcomes for patients.