Expertise among critical care nurses: A grounded theory study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Clinical Expertise Development
• Professional Growth

Background:

• Understanding the transition from novice to expert is crucial in critical care nursing.
• Personal perceptions of expertise influence clinical performance.
• The social construction of expertise shapes professional development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore critical care nurses' perceptions of expertise.
• To examine the process of expert performance development.
• To understand the novice-to-expert transition in critical care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using grounded theory.
• Open-ended interviews with 10 certified critical care nurses.
• Focus on the social construction of expertise and clinical experiences.

Main Results:

• Clinical experience and knowledge form the bedrock of expertise.
• Higher patient acuity and frequent experience enhance learning and growth.
• Self-actualization is a key determinant in developing critical care expertise.

Conclusions:

• Expertise in critical care nursing is driven by experience, motivation, and self-actualization.
• Expert performance is a dynamic, evolving process.
• Knowledge and experience are interdependent; social factors influence development.