Competencies for the Nurse Practitioner Working with Adult Urology Patients

Abstract

Although there is no formal recognition for an advance practice nursing role in Denmark, there are clear examples of nursing expanding its scope to meet the meet of individual patients and larger community needs. Many Danish nurses work with expanded competencies in surgical settings, medical settings, psychiatric environments, and are instrumental in promoting continuity of care for patients who have chronic conditions. Expansion of the nursing role is an example of health care evolving to meet societal and patient needs, even within a controlled research environment, and will promote job satisfaction and retention among its most experienced nurses. This paper offers a review of expanded nursing roles in Denmark and offers further evidence of expanded autonomy for nurses in a clinical research environment.

Review of advanced nursing practice in Denmark with an exemplar

“…The nursing staff of the Urological Research Unit demonstrate skills and knowledge that are consistent with Benner's theory for progression of nurses from novice to expert, and are also consistent with recent competencies for advanced nursing professionals working with adult urology patients . This consistency reinforces that nurses who are part of this unit are working at an advanced level as intended by the DNO ANP definition.…”

An innovative nurse‐led cystoscopy clinic in Denmark

“…This expansion into areas of procedural care in urology to improve access for patients in the area of The Hospital of Southwestern Jutland offers support that the role of the nurse in Denmark is expanding into domains that require clinical expertise and critical thinking, collaboration, and problem solving, all of which are recognized hallmarks of advanced nursing practice. This cystoscopy training parallels the Urology Nurse Practitioner (NP) competencies that offer a method for advancing the clinical acumen of all nursing professionals in urology. This advancement of the nursing role is further characterized by the larger societal need of the local community for specialized care, one that this advancement in practice by these nurse cystoscopists has filled by demonstrating proficiency in three distinct domains: patient care, professionalism, and their role within the health system itself .…”

Mapeamento dos serviços de saúde aos usuários de cateterismo urinário: desafios para a prática avançada de enfermagem

“…A educação em saúde também é uma importante competência do enfermeiro e, para o cateterismo urinário, seja intermitente ou de demora, a capacitação envolve o usuário e o seu cuidador para além do procedimento em si, de modo que lida também com técnicas não invasivas, como o diário miccional, uroterapia, alimentação, frequência intestinal, entre outros (7) . A crescente necessidade de cuidados urológicos confere aos enfermeiros de prática avançada melhores resultados clínicos, melhor eficiência dos serviços e do custo-efetividade, redução dos tempos de espera para consultas médicas e, por fim, apresenta procedimentos de altos níveis de satisfação do paciente (28) .…”