The core qualities and competencies of the intensive and critical care nurse, a meta‐ethnography
Open Access
- 17 September 2021
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Advanced Nursing
- Vol. 77 (12), 4693-4710
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jan.15044
Abstract
Aim To develop a conceptual framework of the core qualities and competencies of the intensive and critical care nurse based on the experiences of intensive care patients, their relatives and the intensive and critical care nurses. Design Meta-ethnography. Data sources A comprehensive, systematic search in seven databases supplemented with hand, citation and reference search. Sources published from 2007 to 2019 were included. Review Methods Noblit and Hare's understanding of meta-ethnography and the work of the eMERGE project have directed the synthesis. Results Nineteen studies were included and synthesized into a conceptual framework. Overarching theme: ‘feeling safe and being safe’, subtheme: ‘creating confidence and motivation’ and conceptual categories (CCs): ‘technical skills and biophysical knowledge’; ‘inter/intra professional teamwork skills’; ‘communication skills (with patients and their relatives)’; ‘constant and attentive bedside presence’; ‘creating participative care’; ‘creating confidence through daily care’; ‘creating a good atmosphere and having a supportive and encouraging attitude’; and ‘building relationship to maintain self-esteem’. Conclusion By including the perspectives of intensive care patients, their relatives and intensive and critical care nurses, the core qualities and competencies comprise elements of both patient safety and the feeling of safety. The framework outlines concepts necessary to ensure person-centred and safe intensive care. Further research should involve each perspective to validate and strengthen the findings. Impact The development of standards and competence guidelines expressing the learning outcomes and qualification of intensive and critical care nurses should be based on input from intensive care patients, their relatives and intensive and critical care nurses. A variety of core qualities and competencies are necessary to create confidence and motivation, and to make the patient feel safe and be safe. This conceptual framework might form a basis for development of a program or assessment tool to facilitate excellence in education and practice in intensive care.Keywords
This publication has 67 references indexed in Scilit:
- Health consumers' experiences in Australian critical care units: postgraduate nurse education implicationsNursing in Critical Care, 2013
- Capacity for care: meta‐ethnography of acute care nurses' experiences of the nurse‐patient relationshipJournal of Advanced Nursing, 2012
- The lived experiences of adult intensive care patients who were conscious during mechanical ventilation: A phenomenological-hermeneutic studyIntensive and Critical Care Nursing, 2012
- “Medication career” or “Moral career”? The two sides of managing antidepressants: A meta-ethnography of patients' experience of antidepressantsSocial Science & Medicine (1982), 2009
- The experience of heavy menstrual bleeding: a systematic review and meta‐ethnography of qualitative studiesJournal of Advanced Nursing, 2008
- Improving patient safety in intensive care units in MichiganJournal of Critical Care, 2008
- Conducting a meta-ethnography of qualitative literature: Lessons learntBMC Medical Research Methodology, 2008
- The challenges of caring in a technological environment: critical care nurses’ experiencesJournal of Clinical Nursing, 2008
- Safety, effectiveness and costs of different models of organising care for critically ill patients: Literature reviewInternational Journal of Nursing Studies, 2007
- Daily Interruption of Sedative Infusions in Critically Ill Patients Undergoing Mechanical VentilationThe New England Journal of Medicine, 2000