Nursing assessment of older people who are in hospital: exploring registered nurses' understanding of their assessment skills.
BACKGROUND
Nurses worldwide are expected to take a leading role in caring for older people. Considerable literature dedicated to the range and application of assessment skills used by nurses vary. There is limited knowledge of registered nurses' (RNs) views of their assessment of older adults.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this project was to explore RNs current perceptions of nursing assessment, and the core skills they identified as necessary.


METHODS
A qualitative descriptive design study was conducted in three inpatient units in one regional hospital in Victoria.


METHODS
Date were collected through participant observation of RNs (n = 13) followed by 1:1 semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed thematically.


CONCLUSIONS
This research has illuminated that an ill-defined repertoire of skills was used by RNs when assessing older persons. Skills identified appeared to be based on years of personal-professional experience. Differences were noted between the descriptions nurses gave and what was observed during interactions with older persons.
a Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare, Faculty of Health , Federation University , Ballarat , VIC , Australia.
Wendy
W
Penney
b Ballarat Health Services , Ballarat , VIC , Australia.
Nola
N
Poulter
c Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare, Federation University , Ballarat , VIC , Australia.
Clare
C
Cole
c Nursing Midwifery and Healthcare, Federation University , Ballarat , VIC , Australia.
Sally
S
Wellard
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014739:Victoria
acute care; assessment skills; communication; older person; qualitative descriptive research