Core competencies for family and community nurses: A European e-Delphi study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Primary Health Care
• Public Health Policy

Background:

• European Union faces primary care challenges requiring innovative solutions.
• Family and Community Nurses are vital in primary care, but their core competencies are undefined.
• Need for standardized competencies to address European health policy goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the essential core competencies for family and community nurses.
• To establish a foundation for a unified European curriculum for these nurses.

Main Methods:

• An e-Delphi study involving 23 experts from 10 European countries.
• A 4-round consensus-building process conducted between March and July 2018.
• Expert panel reviewed, modified, and prioritized a comprehensive list of skills.

Main Results:

• A consensus was reached on 28 core competencies for family and community nurses.
• These competencies align with World Health Organization recommendations.
• The identified competencies are consistent with European Skills/Competencies, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) and ECVET standards.

Conclusions:

• The study provides a basis for European universities to develop postgraduate programs.
• Facilitates the creation of common educational goals for family and community nurses.
• Aims to produce nurse practitioners with transferable skills across Europe.