title: An exploration of the value of specialist neurosurgical nurses.
abstract: The differences in the knowledge and skills of 75 nurses working in a variety of practice settings were examined using a case study vignette of a neurosurgical patient developed by researchers. The case study tested nursing care throughout a patient's hospital experience, including admission, presurgery, postsurgery and discharge preparation. The findings showed that nurses who had specialised in neurosurgery scored markedly higher, in all aspects of practice knowledge, than expert nurses in other specialties and general nurses. Patients undergoing neurosurgery are safer if they have nurses who are experienced, skilled and knowledgeable to care for them.
authors.affiliation: School of Health Care, Oxford Brookes University.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Westcott
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Dunn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures / Q000451:nursing*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000592:standards*; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000592:standards*; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires