Abstract: Competencies are established with reference to job portfolio which is in turn determined by the services in local context. To keep aligned with future direction, nursing profession has to formulate a forward looking, long term development strategic plan to nurture talents. The Hong Kong Hospital Authority has delineated a dual career path of clinical and management streams for nurses. With a 5-phase approach, it starts off with grooming fresh graduate on knowledge consolidation and skill application to eventually becoming an expert and leader with eye-opening and network broadening exposure. This enables the nursing profession to take on a leadership role in the healthcare system. This is a step-by-step incremental pathway that builds on a firm foundation from the previous phase for life-long learning.