Expertise among critical care nurses: A grounded theory study

Explore critical care nurses' personal perceptions of expertise, expert performance and transition from novice to expert performer in clinical practice.

Following constructivist approach to grounded theory this investigation used qualitative open-ended interviews focused on the social construction of expertise in critical care nursing and the experiences of clinical practice that define that process.

A multi-site urban area in the southeastern United States.

10 certified critical care nurses, three males and seven females, with 10-30+ years of critical care experience.

Experience and knowledge are the foundation of expertise and expert performance. The higher the acuity the more frequent the experience the greater the nurses' aptitude and opportunity for learning and professional growth. It was also noted that self-actualisation was a major determinant in the development of expertise in critical care.

Key findings suggested that clinical experience and personal motivation combined with self-actualisation, the drive to maximise personal potential, determine critical care nurse's trajectory towards professional excellence. Expert performance evolves over time. Knowledge acquisition and experience have an interdependent reciprocal relationship inferring that you cannot have one without the other. Social expectations and experiences have a direct impact on professional aptitude and development if expertise.