A Survey on Cardiovascular Nursing Occupational Standard: Meeting the Needs of Employers

Occupational standard is the result of the agreement between relevant stakeholders in the labor market and education on optimal content for a particular occupation. While drafting occupational standard, the primary instrument for researching competencies at a workplace is a survey on occupational standard. This study identifies key competencies, roles, and responsibilities that are deemed necessary by employers of cardiovascular nurses. The survey addressed the responses of 41 organizations from 11 out of 21 counties in Croatia which were represented by the head nurses of cardiology departments in the hospitals. The survey consisted of 24 questions that covered the main responsibilities, competencies, generic skills, and psychometric abilities. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Conducting diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, health care, education, administration of medications, monitoring, and documentation were listed as the main responsibilities of cardiovascular nurses. The most common skills included assessment, monitoring patient's condition, knowledge of the diagnostic or therapeutic procedures and cardiovascular diseases, interpreting the electrocardiograms, preparing patients for checkups, conducting patient's education, and following practice guidelines. Generic skills included communication and organizational skills, teamwork, and responsibility. Reaction time and attention span were the most assessed psychomotor abilities. Artificial lighting and radiation were the most important environmental risk factors. The most appropriate level of education for cardiovascular nursing was specialist graduate studies. The results of the study could be used to develop occupational standards for cardiovascular nursing and to guide the curriculum for the educational program development.