title: Critical Care nurses' understanding of the NHS knowledge and skills framework. An interpretative phenomenological analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This small-scale research study aimed to explore Critical Care nurses' understanding of the National Health Service (NHS) Knowledge and Skills Framework (KSF) in relationship to its challenges and their nursing role.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The NHS KSF is central to the professional development of nurses in Critical Care and supports the effective delivery of health care in the UK. KSF was implemented in 2004 yet engagement seems lacking with challenges often identified.
  
  
  METHODS
  This qualitative study adopted an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis framework.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected from five Critical Care nurses using semi-structured interviews that were transcribed for analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two super-ordinate themes of 'engagement' and 'theory-practice gap' were identified. Six subthemes of 'fluency', 'transparency', 'self-assessment', 'achieving for whom', 'reflection' and 'the nursing role' further explained the super-ordinate themes. Critical Care nurses demonstrated layers of understanding about KSF. Challenges identified were primarily concerned with complex language, an unclear process and the use of reflective and self-assessment skills.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Two theory-practice gaps were found. Critical Care nurses understood the principles of KSF but they either did not apply or did not realize they applied these principles. They struggled to relate KSF to Critical Care practice and felt it did not capture the 'essence' of their nursing role in Critical Care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recommendations were made for embedding KSF into Critical Care practice, using education and taking a flexible approach to KSF to support the development and care delivery of Critical Care nurses.
authors.affiliation: High Dependency Unit, Victoria Infirmary, Glasgow, UK. laura.stewart@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Laura F M
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: Agnes M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rae
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D064648:Critical Care Nursing; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D009726:Nurses / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine; D006113:United Kingdom