Investigating the role and impact of expert nurses

Abstract

This literature review was conducted to identify the attributes of an expert nurse and the direct and indirect impact they have on patient care, health-care organisations and nursing. Given the loss of expert nursing posts as a result of NHS deficits, there is an urgent need to differentiate between a range of expert nursing roles and how these contribute to positive patient and health outcomes and organisational efficiency. The focus of the literature search was on developments in the UK and the results indicated that ambiguity and confusion exist around the terminology and definitions associated with expert nurses. Research shows that expert nurses have a positive impact on patient care and organisational efficiency. However, a lack of clarity leads to a dilution of expert nursing roles and nurse expertise. There is a need for national guidance on the skills required of expert nurses and the necessity of considering the formal protection of nursing titles.

Nursing expertise: a course of ambiguity and evolution in a concept

“… Code: (1) Christensen and Hewitt‐Taylor (); (2) Currie and Watterson (); (3) Hardy et al. (); (4) Johnston and Smith (); (5) King and Clark (); (6) Lyneham et al.…”

“…Notwithstanding Benner's seminal work (Benner ), which attempted to articulate how expertise develops in nursing, there remains little consensus on the specific characteristics of nursing expertise, or how these may be identified or developed. Even though expertise is employed as the basis for differentiating various nursing roles and titles, the interpretation and application of expertise is variable and lacks clarity (Currie and Watterson ).…”

The Power of Synergy: An Academic/Clinical Partnership for Transformational Change

“…The literature concerning postgraduate education for registered nurses supports its impact on learning from an instrumental, technorational orientation, for example as the most appropriate preparation for advanced nursing practice roles [12][13][14]; and that a postgraduate nursing qualification has been associated with fewer medication errors, more effective triaging of patients, and overall improved clinical outcomes [15][16][17]. Further, postgraduate study is expected to enhance the implementation of evidence into practice [18,19] and to increase nurses' confidence in their ability [20][21][22][23][24].…”

Experience of being an advanced practice nurse within Australian acute care settings: a systematic review of qualitative evidence

“…The titles of NP and APN are often used mistakenly, interchangeably, as, too, are the terms expert, advanced and specialist nurse . It is important to revisit here that both the RCNA and the ICN definitions refer to context of practice as shaping APN characteristics; this is one of the concepts that will be explored in this review.…”

“…The titles of NP and APN are often used mistakenly, interchangeably, 13 as, too, are the terms expert, advanced and specialist nurse. [14][15][16] It is important to revisit here that both the RCNA and the ICN definitions refer to context of practice as shaping APN characteristics; this is one of the concepts that will be explored in this review. Despite the debate and discussion, it is generally agreed that a nurse working at an advanced level must utilise skills such as critical thinking, clinical judgement and leadership.…”