An Admiral nurse's experience of the project

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Dementia Care
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Admiral nurses provide specialized care for individuals with dementia.
• There is a need to understand the advanced competencies demonstrated by these nurses.
• Previous research has not fully delineated the specific skills and behaviors associated with higher-level dementia nursing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and define the core competencies of Admiral nurses.
• To examine how Admiral nurses demonstrate advanced practice in dementia care.
• To provide a framework for assessing and developing higher nursing competencies.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research approach utilizing direct observation of Admiral nurses.
• In-depth interviews with Admiral nurses to gather insights into their practice.
• Thematic analysis to break down observed work into discernible parts or competencies.

Main Results:

• The study identified distinct components of Admiral nursing work.
• Specific observable behaviors and skills indicative of higher competency were documented.
• A preliminary breakdown of competencies related to complex dementia care was established.

Conclusions:

• Admiral nurses exhibit a range of advanced competencies in dementia care.
• Understanding these competencies is crucial for professional development and training.
• This work provides a foundation for further research into specialized nursing roles.