Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) A Practice Exam 2026 - Free SANE Practice Questions and Study Guide

The characteristic that defines the 'novice' level of nursing, according to Benner, is reliance on rules and guidelines. At this stage, nurses are typically new to the profession and lack the experience necessary to make clinical judgments based on personal history or intuition. Instead, novices depend heavily on established protocols and procedures to guide their practice. They are in the process of learning how to apply theoretical knowledge to clinical situations and often feel more comfortable adhering strictly to rules as they navigate their initial experiences in patient care.

This reliance on rules and guidelines serves as their primary means of ensuring safe and effective practice while they build confidence and begin to understand the more complex aspects of nursing care. As they progress in their nursing careers, they gradually move beyond this level, gaining experience and transitioning toward greater independence and deeper comprehension of patient needs.