[Near-decisions undertaken by clinical nurses in their daily practice: a concept analysis.]

In recent years, nursing autonomy has increased: clinical nurses in their daily practice undertake several independent and collaborative decisions. In addition, during nursing surveillance, clinical nurses collect data, intercept signs and/or symptoms of decline, early detect emerging problems and trigger a decision-making process by identifying interventions that lead to the attention of physicians, in advance - in order to be allowed to undertake the intervention; or after having implemented the intervention - in order to get an endorsement. The "near-decision making" process in a non-nursing field of autonomy, daily occurs, as a complex process that involves several aspects: individual, interpersonal, and organizational factors. To fill in the literature gap, a purposeful sample of expert nurses has been interviewed; then, using the hybrid model of Schwartz-Barcott & Kim, the concept of "near-decision making" has been described, as well as its attributes, antecedents and consequences were identified.