title: Uncovering the evidence of non-expert nephrology nursing practice.
abstract: Expertise in nursing has been widely studied although there have been no previous studies into what constitutes expertise in nephrology (renal) nursing. This paper, which is abstracted from a larger study into the acquisition and exercise of nephrology nursing expertise, provides evidence of the characteristics and practices of non-expert nephrology nurses. Using the grounded theory method, the study took place in one renal unit in New South Wales, Australia, and involved six non-expert and 11 expert nurses. Sampling was purposive then theoretical. Simultaneous data collection and analysis using participant observation, review of nursing documentation and semistructured interviews was undertaken. The study revealed a three-stage skills-acquisitive process that was identified as non-expert, experienced non-expert and expert stages. Non-expert nurses showed superficial nephrology nursing knowledge and limited experience; they were acquiring basic nephrology nursing skills and possessed a narrow focus of practice.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing Sciences, James Cook University, Cairns, Queensland, Australia. ann.bonner@jcu.edu.au
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonner
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002322:Career Mobility; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D017145:Models, Educational; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009398:Nephrology / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009517:New South Wales; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012647:Self-Assessment; D013041:Specialties, Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017748:Time Management