specialist nursing care
The analysis of complex clinical problems, the diagnosis, initiation and evaluation treatment for patients in a multi-professional arena, within the field of specialisation.
Specialist nurses promote and restore people's health, and diagnose and care within a specific branch of the nursing field. Examples of such specialist nursing jobs include but are not restricted to; ambulatory care nurse, advanced practice nurse, cardiac nurse, dental nurse, community health nurse, forensic nurse, gastroenterology nurse, hospice and palliative care nurse, paediatric nurse, public health nurse, rehabilitation nurse, renal nurse and school nurse. Specialist nurses are general care nurses prepared beyond the level of a nurse generalist and authorised to practice as specialists with specific expertise in a branch of the nursing field.
Competences and skills
92 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceSector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
1 competenceimpact of social contexts on health
The social and cultural contexts of individuals` behaviours, and the impact on their health within their social and cultural context.
Essential skills and competences 68 competences
Occupation specific
4 competencescoach individuals in specialised nursing care
Keep abreast of technological development and educate nurses, other health professionals and patient groups about advancements in the field of specialisation.
communicate in specialised nursing care
Formulate and communicate complex clinical issues to patients, relatives and other health professionals.
contribute to the advancements in specialised nursing care
Contribute to the continuous development of the field of specialisation and research-based practice, participating in continuous professional development and research programmes, when appropriate.
evaluation in specialised nursing care
Evaluate and undertake audit of the field of specialisation to ensure the delivery of safe nursing care.
Sector-specific
36 competencesaccept own accountability
Accept accountability for one`s own professional activities and recognise the limits of one`s own scope of practice and competencies.
advise on healthcare users' informed consent
Ensure patients/clients are fully informed about the risks and benefits of proposed treatments so they can give informed consent, engaging patients/clients in the process of their care and treatment.
analyse quality of nurse care
Analyse the quality of care in order to improve the own professional practice as a general care nurse.
apply context specific clinical competences
Apply professional and evidence based assessment, goal setting, delivery of intervention and evaluation of clients, taking into account the developmental and contextual history of the clients, within one`s own scope of practice.
apply nursing care in long-term care
Enable the promotion and the development of nursing care in long term care, co-morbidity and in situations of dependency in order to maintain individuals’ personal autonomy and relationships with the environment in each moment of the health/illness process.
apply person-centred care
Treat individuals as partners in planning, developing and assessing care, to make sure it is appropriate for their needs. Put them and their caregivers at the heart of all decisions.
carry out invasive cardiovascular procedures
Carry out invasive procedures on the thoracic area, such as cardiac catheterisations, defibrillator implants, and pacemaker insertion.
carry out nurse-led discharge
Initiate and lead the discharge process of patients, involving all relevant professionals to expedite discharges. Assist bed and capacity management across the whole hospital.
comply with quality standards related to healthcare practice
Apply quality standards related to risk management, safety procedures, patients feedback, screening and medical devices in daily practice, as they are recognized by the national professional associations and authorities.
contribute to continuity of health care
Contribute to the delivery of coordinated and continuous healthcare.
coordinate care
Coordinate care for patient groups, being able to manage a number of patients within a given amount of time and provide optimum health services.
delegate emergency care
Efficiently delegate care to other personnel in the emergency department, supervising others working in the clinical environment to ensure that patient needs are met.
diagnose nursing care
A judgment based on a comprehensive nursing assessment.
empower individuals, families and groups
Empower individuals, families and groups towards healthy lifestyles and self-care.
ensure safety of healthcare users
Make sure that healthcare users are being treated professionally, effectively and safe from harm, adapting techniques and procedures according to the person's needs, abilities or the prevailing conditions.
evaluate nursing care
Evaluate nursing care assessing mechanisms and processes for continuous quality improvement in nursing care, considering the scientific, technical and ethical development.
implement nursing care
Implement nursing care when treating patients in order to improve their health situation. Carry out advanced treatment, diagnostic and invasive interventions as related to the field of specialisation.
manage adverse reactions to drugs
Analyse and manage adverse reactions to drugs such as general and local anaesthetics and antibiotics, describing the principles of drug challenge and desensitisation to the allergic patient and providing advice on the use of alternative drugs.
manage communicable disease
Handle dangerous infectious diseases in an intensive medical therapy unit.
manage hospital-acquired infections
Diagnose and treat infections developed in a hospital environment.
manage multiple patients simultaneously
Coordinate and supervise the management of several patients simultaneously and manage mass-casualty incidents.
manage trauma through surgical means
Manage trauma such as musculoskeletal, hand, and head injuries, taking responsibility for all phases of care of the injured patient.
participate in health personnel training
Participate in the practical training of health personnel on the basis of the knowledge and skills acquired.
perform bronchoscopy
Conduct bronchoscopy to visualise the tracheobronchial tree for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
perform diagnostic testing for allergies
Perform diagnostic testing for allergies to drugs, vaccines, or other substances used in medicinal treatment.
perform vascular surgery therapeutic procedures
Perform vascular surgical interventions, such as arterial exposure and control, repair of vascular trauma, aortic reconstruction, repair of aortic aneurysms, carotid surgery, endarterectomy, endovascular interventions, and thrombosis treatments, reconstruction and vessel occlusion.
plan nursing care
Plan care, defining nursing objectives, deciding on nursing measures to be taken, paying attention to health education and preventative measures and ensuring continuity and fullness of care with the aim of improving the quality of nursing care.
promote health in specialised care
Identify health promotion and education needs for patients within the field of specialisation and develop and implement strategies as appropriate.
provide comprehensive care for patients with surgical conditions
Provide comprehensive care of critically ill patients with underlying surgical conditions.
provide nursing advice on healthcare
Give advice to, instruct and support persons needing nursing care and their attachment figures.
provide treatment strategies for challenges to human health
Identify possible treatment protocols for the challenges to human health within a given community in cases such as infectious diseases of high consequences at the global level.
refer healthcare users
Make referrals to other professionals, based on the healthcare user's requirements and needs, especially when recognising that additional healthcare diagnostics or interventions are required.
solve problems in healthcare
Carry out actions, by previously identifying and analysing problems, that facilitate seeking the most beneficial solution for the patient, the family and the community, reaching objectives, improving outcomes and keeping the quality of their work.
use e-health and mobile health technologies
Use mobile health technologies and e-health (online applications and services) in order to enhance the provided healthcare.
digital
use electronic health records in nursing
Use electronic health records to document nursing assessment, diagnosis, interventions and outcomes based on comparable nursing classification systems and nursing taxonomy.
digital
work in multidisciplinary health teams
Participate in the delivery of multidisciplinary health care, and understand the rules and competences of other healthcare related professions.
Cross-sector
28 competencesadapt leadership styles in healthcare
Adapt leadership styles and approaches to different situations concerning nursing clinical practice and healthcare.
address problems critically
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
adhere to organisational guidelines
Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.
advise on healthy lifestyles
Promote healthy lifestyles, preventive measures and self-care by strengthening empowerment, promoting health and enhancing behaviours and therapeutic compliance, providing patients with the adequate information in order to support compliance with and adherence to prescribed treatments, medication and nursing care.
apply sustainability principles in health care
Take into account the sustainability principles in healthcare and strive for the rational use of resources.
communicate in healthcare
Communicate effectively with patients, families and other caregivers, health care professionals, and community partners.
comply with legislation related to health care
Comply with the regional and national health legislation which regulates relations between suppliers, payers, vendors of the healthcare industry and patients, and the delivery of healthcare services.
deal with emergency care situations
Assess the signs and be well-prepared for a situation that poses an immediate threat to a person's health, security, property or environment.
develop a collaborative therapeutic relationship
Develop a mutually collaborative therapeutic relationship during treatment, fostering and gaining healthcare users' trust and cooperation.
educate on the prevention of illness
Offer evidence-based advice on how to avoid ill health, educate and advise individuals and their carers on how to prevent ill health and/or be able to advise how to improve their environment and health conditions. Provide advice on the identification of risks leading to ill health and help to increase the patients' resilience by targeting prevention and early intervention strategies.
empathise with the healthcare user
Understand the background of clients` and patients’ symptoms, difficulties and behaviour. Be empathetic about their issues; showing respect and reinforcing their autonomy, self-esteem and independence. Demonstrate a concern for their welfare and handle according to the personal boundaries, sensitivities, cultural differences and preferences of the client and patient in mind.
follow clinical guidelines
Follow agreed protocols and guidelines in support of healthcare practice which are provided by healthcare institutions, professional associations, or authorities and also scientific organisations.
have computer literacy
Utilise computers, IT equipment and modern day technology in an efficient way.
digital
implement fundamentals of nursing
Implement the nursing theoretical and methodological fundamentals and principles, basic nursing interventions on scientific evidence and the resources available.
implement scientific decision making in healthcare
Implement scientific findings for evidence-based practice, integrating research evidence into decision making by forming a focused clinical question in response to a recognised information need, searching for the most appropriate evidence to meet that need, critically appraising the retrieved evidence, incorporating the evidence into a strategy for action, and evaluating the effects of any decisions and actions taken.
inform policy makers on health-related challenges
Provide useful information related to health care professions to ensure policy decisions are made in the benefit of communities.
initiate life preserving measures
Initiate life-preserving actions by taking measures in crises and disaster situations.
interact with healthcare users
Communicate with clients and their carer’s, with the patient’s permission, to keep them informed about the clients’ and patients’ progress and safeguarding confidentiality.
listen actively
Give attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of customers, clients, passengers, service users or others, and provide solutions accordingly.
manage information in health care
Retrieve, apply and share information among patients and healthcare professionals and across healthcare facilities and community.
manage personal professional development
Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development. Engage in learning to support and update professional competence. Identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders. Pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans.
research
promote a positive image of nursing
Present and preserve a positive image of nursing in specific environments of the healthcare and educational spectra.
promote human rights
Promote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, and the international and national codes of ethics, as well as the ethical implications of healthcare provision, ensuring their right to privacy and honouring for the confidentiality of healthcare information.
promote inclusion
Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.
provide health education
Provide evidence based strategies to promote healthy living, disease prevention and management.
provide professional care in nursing
Provide professional care, adequate to the health and nursing care needs of the individuals, families and groups, taking into account the scientific developments, as well as the quality and safety requirements established in accordance with the legal/professional conduct regulations.
respond to changing situations in health care
Cope with pressure and respond appropriately and in time to unexpected and rapidly changing situations in healthcare.
work in a multicultural environment in health care
Interact, relate and communicate with individuals from a variety of different cultures, when working in a healthcare environment.
Optional knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
2 competencespatient safety theories
The knowledge of theories addressing the management of risk and safety in nursing operations, such as the normal accident theory, the high reliability theory and the grid-group cultural theory.
simulation-based clinical education
The activities and programs aimed at providing students with opportunities to practice their clinical and decision-making skills through various real-life situational experiences. It may involve the use of serious game, 3D virtual techniques and skill laboratories.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 20 competences
Occupation specific
5 competencesadminister immunotherapy
Adjust immunotherapy dose and manage complications.
advise patients on infectious diseases when travelling
Inform and prepare patients who are about to travel to areas with high infection rates, administering immunisations and instructing patients on prevention and treatment of infections and infectious diseases.
conduct patch testing
Apply patch testing in order to determine allergic causes of dermatitis or eczema, or other skin conditions.
perform endoscopy
Carry out endoscopy using an endoscope to examine the interior of a hollow organ or cavity of a patient.
provide nursing care in community settings
Provide nursing care in community settings such as schools, home settings, assisted living facilities, correctional facilities and hospice, and outside the hospital system.
Sector-specific
12 competencesaddress side effects of menopause
Address side effects of menopause such as fatigue, body temperature changes, mood swings, depression and weight gain. Search for symptoms of health problems that can be caused by menopause, such as heart disease, vision issues and osteoporosis.
assist in epilepsy surgery
Assist the surgeon in setting up and performing intra-operative electrocorticographic recordings while supervising the technician. Assist in identifying and correcting common artefacts and faults. Help administer carotid amytal tests, and functional brain mapping.
assist in kidney transplant
Manage patient care before and after the transplant of kidneys, striving to maximise the likelihood of a successful outcome.
conduct polysomnography
Perform a sleep study in order to diagnose sleep disorders, recording measures of the sleep cycles and stages, including air flow in and out of the lungs, the level of oxygen in the blood, brain waves, electrical activity of muscles, and eye movement.
conduct preoperative investigations
Conduct tests before a planned surgical operation, taking into consideration possible risk factors apparent from the clinical assessment, the likelihood of asymptomatic abnormalities and the severity of the planned surgery.
follow-up patients with heart attack
Ensure follow-up care following a heart attack, such as examining the patient at regular intervals.
perform venous cannulation
Place a cannula inside the patient's vein to provide venous access. It allows many practices such as sampling of blood, administration of fluids, medications, parenteral nutrition, and chemotherapy.
prescribe medication
Prescribe medications, when indicated, for therapeutic effectiveness, appropriate to the client`s needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice, national and practice protocols and within scope of practice.
provide anti-cancer medical treatment
Determine the cancer treatment appropriate for the patient, considering chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and targeted therapy such as immunotherapy.
provide palliative care
Provide care to improve the quality of life of patients and their caregivers confronting life-threatening illness, preventing and relieving suffering by means of early identification and adequate intervention.
treat endocrine disorders
Identify and provide medication treatment to endocrine-related disorders such as dysmenorrhea or amenorrhea.
use clinical reasoning
Reflect on care situations conceptually and theoretically, think critically and apply nursing models to real situations.
Cross-sector
3 competencesassess physical conditions of clients
Check the new clients' health conditions to assess their suitability for participation.
use foreign languages for health-related research
Use foreign languages for conducting and collaborating in health-related research.
use foreign languages in patient care
Communicate in foreign languages with healthcare users, their carers, or services providers. Use foreign languages to faciliate patient care according to the needs of the patient.