Which nurse level has observational experience and can identify principles of nursing care?

The correct choice is the advanced beginner nurse. This level of nursing practice is characterized by some hands-on experience with patients, which allows these nurses to begin recognizing principles of nursing care based on their observations. While they may not have extensive experience in every situation, advanced beginners have been exposed to real-life scenarios that help them translate theory into practice. They are capable of identifying priorities and making rational decisions based on their observations and experiences, which sets them apart from novice nurses who are just starting out and typically lack exposure to actual patient care.

In contrast, novice nurses typically rely on rules and guidelines without a strong foundation of prior experience. Proficient nurses have a deeper understanding and are able to prioritize tasks and adapt care to specific situations, indicating a further level of mastery beyond just observational experience. Expert nurses possess an extensive background and intuitive understanding, allowing them to make complex clinical decisions without relying on rigid rules. Thus, while these other levels of nursing practice have their own unique competencies, the advanced beginner is specifically the level where observational experience becomes a developing strength.