An exploration of the value of specialist neurosurgical nurses

Abstract

In the climate of evidence-based healthcare and with concerns for cost containment, questions arise regarding the value of nurses trained and experienced in a health specialty such as neurosurgery. A comparative survey was undertaken to explore the differences between nurses who had specialised in neurosurgery, and nurses working in medical and surgical specialties. Using Calkin's model of advanced practice (1984) as a conceptual framework for this study, the term specialist was taken to be a nurse in neurosurgery who had completed the neuroscience nursing course, ENB 148, and had a minimum of two years' experience in the specialty. Such nurses work at grade F or higher. The experienced nurses in the study in both the specialty and medical and surgical settings had two years' experience and worked at grade D or E. The medical and surgical nurses were qualified and had less than two years' experience. The differences in the knowledge and skills of 75 nurses working in a variety of practice settings were examined using a case study vignette developed by the researcher for the study. The case study tested nursing care in all phases of a patient's hospital experience, including admission, pre-surgery, post-surgery and discharge preparation. The findings showed that nurses who had specialised in neurosurgery scored significantly higher in all aspects of practice knowledge. Patients undergoing neurosurgery are safer if they have nurses who are experienced, skilled and knowledgeable to care for them.