A generic competence model for effective nursing performance was developed and compared with nurses' perceptions of job elements that discriminate outstanding nursing performance and that are critical in the selection and education of nurses. The model is to be used to validate the nursing faculty's existing competence model for nursing education at Alverno College's 4-year program. The model will also provide descriptions of effective nursing performance to enable further development of learning objectives and experiences. Finally, the model will provide additional criteria for assessing student nursing performance. Interviews were conducted with nurses from agencies in different settings: acute care, long-term care, and community health. A nomination questionnaire elicited lists of nurses considered to be outstanding. The nurses were administered a behavioral event interview to determine what they did and how they felt about work situations in which they felt effective or ineffective. Background information on the respondents was also obtained, and a job element inventory provided ratings of behaviors that are perceived as important to outstanding nursing performance. The study resulted in descriptions of nine generic abilities, which are appended. Also attached is "A Generic Competence Model for Effective Nursing Performance: A Codebook." (SW)