Temper the Specialist Nurses Heterogeneity in the Interest of Quality Practice and Mobility—18 EU Countries Study

Abstract

Background: The position of the specialist nurse profession varies across the European Union. Action is required to address the challenges to promote mobility and the contribution of specialist nurses to quality of care. The purpose of the study is to identify the interfaces of the specialist nurse profession across the European Union. Methods: A mixed method study was conducted in October 2019 and total of 40 answers from 18 different European Union countries were selected using a purposive sampling method. Results: The participants had completed various Bologna degree cycles and 57.2% had followed a specific educational programme to become a specialist nurse. More professional autonomy was acquired by 81.9% participants. Conclusion: A striving for homogeneity in the interpretation of the specialist nurses role and competencies is needed to achieve better quality of care provision and facilitate their mobility around the European Union. The lack of recognition identified in this study should encourage nurse managers to consider specialist nurse roles with the aim of capitalizing on the advanced care and expertise that specialist nurses provide. These results are an opportunity to improve the specialist nurses profession with an ultimate impact on management practices of streamlined, cost-effective clinical services.