The role of the intensive care nurse--their choice

An inability to attract and retain sufficient numbers of Registered Nurses (RN's), and Resident Medical Officer shortages in 1990 lead to a concern about who would provide services and whether RN's should "extend" their roles. This survey was developed to allow clinical nurses to identify what their role should be and to quantify the degree of role extension already occurring in the Intensive Care Units (ICU's) of New South Wales' hospitals. Surveys (823) were sent to 33 ICU's across New South Wales. Major Teaching (MTH), Suburban (SH) and Country (CH) hospitals were included in equal numbers. Nurse Unit Managers were contacted and agreed to the distribution of the questionnaire to all RN's working in these units. General demographic information was sought regarding experience in ICU, with the remainder of the questions related to whether nurses should take on extra tasks and what nursing duties could be relinquished. Overall return rate was 51.8% with variations in the type of hospital, MTH (35%), SH (57%), CH (68%). Nurses (72%) want to extend or already do have an extended role. However, they are very definite about what tasks they wish to perform and consistently throughout New South Wales do not wish to perform clerical tasks, some invasive procedures such as endotracheal intubation or arterial cannulation or prescribe medications. The majority of RN's want to relinquish non nursing duties such as cleaning, ordering supplies and clerical tasks. The study demonstrated that, a great many nurses working in ICU would like to and/or perceive the need for some role extension. Clearly nurses must be included in all discussions and decisions affecting their future.