Classifying general and specialist children's nursing competencies.
BACKGROUND
Whilst there is evidence in the literature to support the continuation of a children's nursing qualification, the distinction between generalist and specialist nursing is insufficiently comprehensive to distinguish children's nursing from other branches of nursing.


OBJECTIVE
To develop a definition of children's nursing and specialist children's nursing in terms of competencies as the basis for differentiating them from other forms of nursing.


METHODS
A multi-method comparative design incorporating a case study approach was used. This included a nominal group technique, focus groups, Delphi survey and semi-structured interviews. Two arms of data collection were undertaken concurrently (during 1998-2000) with children's nurses (n = 146) and specialist children's nurses (children's cancer nurses, n = 37) from a number of centres in the United Kingdom (UK).


RESULTS
The holistic competencies developed from the data exposed characteristics of knowledge, skills, abilities, values and qualities displayed in the context of professional work for both groups of nurses. A classification of competencies was developed inductively from the data by two independent researchers through the labelling, defining and ordering of competencies. The resulting hierarchy of competencies and sub-competencies illustrates relationships between children's nurses and specialist children's nurses and provides a detailed definition of children's nursing and specialist children's nursing.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a significant common element in these two areas of nursing practice, and generalist preparation in children's nursing is the foundation of specialist children's nursing practice. Generalist knowledge and skills are expanded in specialist practice and there is also evidence of specialist practice that is beyond the scope of general nursing practice.
Gibson
Faith
F
Centre for Nursing and Allied Professions Research, Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, London WC1N 3JH, UK. gibsof@gosh.nhs.uk
Fletcher
Margaret
M
Casey
Anne
A
D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003697:Delphi Technique; D006801:Humans; D009726:Nurses / Q000145:classification* / Q000592:standards; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards*; D006113:United Kingdom