Identifying Key Competencies for Ambulance Nurses in Italy: Findings from a Modified Delphi Study

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Nursing Science

Background:

• Prehospital emergency nursing demands specialized skills for complex situations.
• Nurses in this field require a broad range of competencies.
• This study focuses on the Italian context for ambulance nurses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and validate essential competencies for specialized ambulance nurses in Italy.
• To establish a framework for specialized prehospital emergency nursing training.
• To address the need for robust clinical preparation in emergency nursing.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi methodology was employed.
• A panel of 10 experts (clinicians and academics) participated.
• Two rounds of questionnaires were used to gather and refine expert opinions.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive set of 77 competencies was identified and validated.
• Key domains include advanced clinical skills, decision-making, communication, interpersonal skills, and leadership.
• High consensus was achieved on most competencies, with some variation in areas like holistic and spiritual care.

Conclusions:

• The identified competencies reflect the complex and evolving nature of prehospital emergency nursing.
• Results provide a foundation for developing targeted training and education programs.
• Continuing education is vital for maintaining and advancing nurse competencies in emergency care.