Differences and similarities in scope of practice between registered nurses and nurse specialists in emergency care: an interview study

Wide variation exists between the nursing competence requirements seen in the emergency care context and the subsequent design of nursing education programmes. Clarifying nursing roles and scope of prac- tice may shed light on inconsistencies and encourage nurses to work to their full potential. No differences were seen between registered nurses’ and nurse specialists’ role, and professional accountability and responsibilities in the context studied here, although the level of nursing com- petence differed. Before and even after consensus on uni- form competence standards for the different professional nurse groups is reached, management teams should invest in reviewing nurses’ competence in relation to dif- ferent expertise levels, and strategically recruit so that current health needs in the emergency departments can be met.

Erika Boman, Rika Levy-Malmberg, Lisbeth Fagerström

Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences

October 2019

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