It means basic skills that are deemed essential for graduates of nursing assistant programs. The Arizona Board of Nursing has identified a number of minimum competencies or basic skills that each nursing assistant program graduate should be able to perform upon entry into practice. An example of such a competency is providing comfort and rest for the residents. The curriculum of a nursing assistant training course needs to adhere to and teach students the minimum program competencies. You must be prepared to perform these basic things before you start working.