Background Approaches involving resource nurses have been used in several fields of practice to enhance quality of care. A literature review reveals limited research on the role of the resource nurse in palliative care in the community. Aim To explore experiences related to the role of the resource nurse in palliative care in the setting of nursing homes in Norway. Design The study has an explorative design with a qualitative approach. Methods Two semi structured group interviews were conducted. Five resource nurses participated in the first interview, two resource nurses participated in the last interview. The group interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed with systematic text condensation. Results The resource nurses wish to promote high-quality palliative care. They are skilled palliative nurses working clinically, and they use their experience and knowledge to talk about and demonstrate good practice. By conveying knowledge and being role models, they bolster their colleagues’ confidence and skills in palliative care and contribute to a shared view of quality. They can potentially play an important role in facilitating reflection and collaboration in the palliative care team. However, the resource nurse’s function is affected by interpersonal, managerial and organisational factors. Conclusion The resource nurse most important tool in promoting high-quality palliative care may be to support their colleagues being a role model, and sharing knowledge and experience. The resource nurses play an important role in facilitating reflection and collaboration in the palliative care team and may contribute to ethical awareness and proper dialogues about end of life issues.

Background The role of the resource nurse aims at bridging the gap between the specialist nurses and the nurses who work in non-specialist wards. The role is established internationally and used in a wide area of clinical settings. The resource nurse is promoting evidence-based practice. Patients with life limiting conditions including cancer and other chronic diseases will likely need palliative care during the trajectory of illness. Due to the complexity of palliative care, both interprofessional help and cooperation between levels of healthcare are considered necessary. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the perceptions and experiences related to the role of the resource nurse in palliative care in the setting of home health care services and hospitals in Norway, from the perspectives of the resource nurses and the ward nurses. Design The study has an explorative design with a qualitative approach. Methods Eight individual interviews were conducted. Audiotaped interview material was transcribed verbatim and the data were analysed using systematic text condensation. The encoded data material provided the basis for writing analytical texts that in turn resulted in meaningful descriptions of the different categories. Results Four resource nurses and four ward nurses participated in individual interviews. Analysis of the data yielded three categories: 1. Expectations of better competence in the ward. 2. Expectations of better cooperation between professions and different levels of healthcare services. 3. Improvements and hindrances. Conclusion The resource nurse role is underutilized due to heavy workload and inefficient organization of care. Improvements such as sufficient time resources, support from the ward nurse and cooperation with staff nurses, the resource nurses’ role could contribute to increased competence and cooperation interprofessionally and between levels of healthcare.

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Background : Approaches involving resource nurses have been used in several fields of practice to enhance quality of care. A literature review reveals limited research on the role of the resource nurse in palliative care in the community.Aim: To explore experiences pertaining to the resource nurse’s role in palliative care in nursing homes in Norway.Design: An explorative and descriptive design using group interviews. Methods: Two semi structured group interviews were conducted. Five resource nurses participated in the first interview, two resource nurses participated in the last interview. The group interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim and analysed with systematic text condensation.Results: The resource nurses wish to promote high-quality palliative care. They are skilled palliative nurses working clinically, and they use their experience and knowledge to talk about and demonstrate good practice. By conveying knowledge and being role models, they bolster their colleagues’ confidence and skills in palliative care and contribute to a shared view of quality. They can potentially play an important role in facilitating reflection and collaboration in the palliative care team. However, the resource nurse’s function is affected by interpersonal, managerial and organisational factors.Conclusion: The resource nurse most important tool in promoting high-quality palliative care may be to support their colleagues being a role model and sharing knowledge and experience. The resource nurses play an important role in facilitating reflection and collaboration in the palliative care team and may contribute to ethical awareness and proper dialogues about end of life issues.

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