Role expansion in intensive care: survey of nurses' views

The study described here is an investigation of intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' perceptions of how their role is expanding. Six specific skills were selected for consideration. A questionnaire was distributed to nurses working in ICUs in three different hospitals. Questions were based around issues such as education and assessment policies, the transfer of work between nurses and other groups of workers and the effects of ICU nurses accumulating additional skills. Completed questionnaires were received from 33 participants (68.75% response rate). The results showed that most of the nurses were carrying out the skills suggested. The training provided to underpin skill development was a balance of teaching and supervision. However, assessment practices varied. The majority of nurses felt that the existing training programmes were adequate. Data revealed that a range of duties could be released from their role and taken over by other workers, such as technicians and health care assistants. Participants suggested that the crucial element of the nursing role was the incorporation of many activities into the provision of continuous one-to-one total patient care. This was the aspect of work that was reported as being the most satisfying. It was perceived that patients benefited from nurses extending their role in the areas discussed.