Advanced practice nursing competence profile in emergencies: insights from Spain

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management

Background:

• Growing demand for emergency care services.
• Impact of chronic diseases and the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Need for cost-effective healthcare solutions and addressing workforce shortages.

Purpose of the Study:

• Establish a well-defined competency profile for Advanced Practice Nursing in emergency care.
• Ensure competencies are relevant, clear, and systematically structured.
• Facilitate effective practice in urgent and emergency settings.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-methods design in three phases.
• Qualitative focus groups to identify foundational competencies.
• Modified Delphi method with 42 experts for refinement and validation.
• Quantitative analysis using Content Validity Index and Cronbach's alpha.

Main Results:

• Identified eight competency units.
• Comprising 17 competency criteria.
• And 99 descriptors, with 25 linked to competency units.

Conclusions:

• Validated competency units, criteria, and descriptors form a cornerstone for Advanced Practice Nursing in Emergency Care.
• This framework standardizes practices and improves care quality.
• Ensures nurses are equipped for complex emergency settings.