Clinical Competence of Neuroscience Nurses in Inpatient Wards and Intensive Care Units: A Mixed-Methods Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Neuroscience
• Clinical Competence

Background:

• Neuroscience nurses require clinical competence (CC) for optimal patient care.
• This study focuses on inpatient wards and intensive care units (ICUs) in university hospitals and tertiary referral centers.
• The context involves 24/7 care for adult neuroscience patients with rapidly changing conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and synthesize the types of CC needed in neuroscience nursing (NSN).
• To describe how CC is or should be ensured in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method systematic review of literature from 2014 to 2024.
• Included descriptive qualitative and quantitative studies using a convergent integrated approach.
• Qualitative synthesis involved thematic inductive analysis of combined data.

Main Results:

• Four categories of CC in NSN were identified: neurospecific interventions, core nursing interventions, psychosocial interventions, and quality/safety assurance.
• CC is ensured through postgraduate education, training, feedback, work experience, community belonging, and evidence-based resources.
• Recommendations include varied education/training, enhanced knowledge, local opinion leaders, and standardized tools.

Conclusions:

• Neuroscience nursing (NSN) necessitates both specific and general CC for interventions in hospital wards and ICUs.
• Various methods ensure CC in NSN, highlighting the ongoing importance of assessment for quality and safety.
• This review underscores the need to evaluate CC in NSN clinical practice.