Defining Expertise in Cancer Nursing Practice.

Area of Science:

• Oncology Nursing
• Nursing Expertise
• Healthcare Professional Development

Background:

• Benner's definition of expert nursing (35 years ago) focused on knowledge and experience across contexts.
• Limited research has explored expertise specifically within cancer nursing since Benner's initial definition.
• Contemporary oncology settings present unique complexities impacting nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore and describe the defining characteristics of expert cancer nurses.
• To evaluate the continued relevance of Benner's typology for expert nurses in modern oncology.

Main Methods:

• An exploratory, descriptive study design was employed.
• Focus groups with registered nurses were audio-recorded and transcribed.
• Inductive thematic analysis and Post-it note documentation were used to identify key characteristics.

Main Results:

• Seven key themes emerged: knowledge, leadership, adaptability, communication, motivation, patient-centered care, organization, and culture.
• Prominent characteristics identified included knowledge, compassion, motivation, experience, and communication.
• Twenty-four registered nurses participated in three focus groups at an Australian comprehensive cancer center.

Conclusions:

• Identified expert characteristics largely align with those in other nursing specialties.
• "Adaptability" emerged as particularly crucial for cancer nurses, reflecting complex care demands.
• The study reaffirms Benner's concept of expert nurses fluidly applying knowledge and experience to new situations.