Understanding the role of knowledge in the practice of expert nephrology nurses in Australia

Abstract

This paper, which is abstracted from a larger study into the acquisition and exercise of nephrology nursing expertise, aims to explore the role of knowledge in expert practice. Using grounded theory methodology, the study involved 17 registered nurses who were practicing in a metropolitan renal unit in New South Wales, Australia. Concurrent data collection and analysis was undertaken, incorporating participants' observations and interviews. Having extensive nephrology nursing knowledge was a striking characteristic of a nursing expert. Expert nurses clearly relied on and utilized extensive nephrology nursing knowledge to practice. Of importance for nursing, the results of this study indicate that domain-specific knowledge is a crucial feature of expert practice.

Work environment, job satisfaction, stress and burnout among haemodialysis nurses

“…Home haemodialysis nursing involves educating and supporting individuals to perform haemodialysis in their own home (Agar et al 2007). In-centre and satellite haemodialysis nursing involves caring for the same patient on a regular, second daily basis for an extended period of time, often years, resulting in an unique nurse-patient relationship (Polaschek 2003, Bonner 2007. Nursing work is also shaped by the unique context of each of these haemodialysis settings.…”

Competencies for Practice in Renal Care: A National Delphi Study

“…A basic and logical assumption concerning the sampling method used to develop the Delphi panel was that nurses with academic or long clinical experience had a professional role and were thereby ‘experts’ in renal care. The nature of expert renal nursing knowledge was described by Bonner (2007). Panel self‐selection is also likely to engage nurses who consider themselves to be experienced and knowledgeable in the field.…”

“…Based on the following pre‐defined criteria; registered nurses employed in a Renal Department, and who rated themselves as experts in renal nursing, with a minimum of 12 months experience of renal care, were considered eligible for the Delphi panel. An expert renal nurse was defined as a nurse who demonstrates extensive renal nursing knowledge and who exercises advanced renal nursing skills and patient‐focused care (Bonner 2003; Bonner & Walker 2004; Bonner 2006; Bonner & Greenwood 2006; Bonner 2007). Given the aim of conducting the study across all areas of renal nursing as well as a national representation of nurses, a stratified sampling technique was used to select participants.…”

“…Bonner (Bonner 2003; Bonner & Walker 2004; Bonner 2006; Bonner & Greenwood 2006; Bonner 2007) has examined the characteristics of renal nursing expertise and the process through which it is acquired, although the literature hardly mentions which competencies nurses need for professional service in renal care. However, a multi‐disciplinary competency framework for renal nurses has been developed in an ENRCA project.…”

Negative expertise: comparing differently tenured elder care nurses' negative knowledge

“…It is hence plausible that highly experienced elder care nurses develop a differentiated repertoire of knowledge about the character of older persons affected by certain diseases. In contrast with the primary usage of scholarly knowledge by expert nurses (Bonner 2007), it is plausible that the knowledge of expert elder care nurses is more strongly characterised by their familiarity with the individuality and life history of particular nursing home residents. Future studies-especially in the context of elder care nursing-could, therefore, make an interesting contribution in focusing the vicarious aspect of negative knowledge more deliberately.…”