Abstract: Improving nurses' competencies, rationally and effectively allocating medical resources, and improving patient care outcomes are among the main interests and focus in clinical nursing management and nursing research. In order to rationally allocate human resources and improve the competencies of nurses to meet the needs of patients, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) developed the Synergy Model in 1996. This model was originally used in certification program of AACN, ICU nursing human resources was effectively allocated through the ICU specialized nurse certification to meet the needs of patients and their families. At present, it has gradually evolved from focusing on nurses' competencies assessment to "nurse competence" framework. The core concept of the AACN Synergy Model is that the needs or characteristics of patients and families influence and drive the characteristics or competencies of nurses. This model has been widely used in hospitals, wards, and overseas military medical institutions in the United States, as well as in guiding the transportation of critically ill patients, assessing the severity and needs of ICU patients, and in magnet-designed hospital certification. The background of the AACN Synergy Model and its application in clinical practice, nursing management, and nursing education was introduced to provide a reference for the development of nursing models to meet the development of nursing work and patients' needs in China.

Key words: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Synergy Model, nurses' competencies, patients' characteristics