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Abstract

Introduction

Prehospital emergency nursing is a critical domain requiring specialized competencies and robust clinical preparation. Nurses in this sector manage high-complexity situations necessitating a broad range of competencies. This study aimed to identify and validate the essential competencies required for specialized ambulance nurses in Italy using a modified Delphi methodology.

Methods

A Delphi study was conducted with a panel of 10 experts, including clinical practitioners and academic professionals. The study involved 2 rounds of questionnaires designed to gather and refine expert opinions on the competencies necessary for ambulance nurses.

Results

The experts identified a comprehensive set of 77 competencies across various domains, emphasizing advanced clinical competencies, decision-making abilities, communication, interpersonal competencies, and leadership. The first round highlighted 31 competencies from clinical experts and 46 from academic experts, with significant overlaps and some divergences. The second round achieved high consensus on many competencies, though some areas, such as holistic and spiritual competencies, showed varied levels of agreement.

Discussion

The identified competencies underscore the complexity and dynamic nature of prehospital emergency nursing. The results provide a framework for developing targeted training programs to prepare nurses for the demands of this field. Continuing education emerged as a crucial element for maintaining and enhancing competencies in the evolving landscape of emergency health care.

Details

Location
Title
Identifying Key Competencies for Ambulance Nurses in Italy: Findings from a Modified Delphi Study
Author
Ippolito Notarnicola 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Rocco Gennaro 1 ; Carrodano, Sara 1 ; Romano, Daniela 2 ; Lommi, Marzia 3   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ivziku, Dhurata 4 ; Stievano, Alessandro 5 

 Center of Excellence for Nursing Scholarship, OPI, Rome, Italy 
 Regional Health Emergency Company, Rome, Italy 
 Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Psychology, University of Rome “La Sapienza” Rome, Italy 
 Department of Health Professions, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Campus Bio-Medico, Rome, Italy 
 Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy 
Publication title
Journal of Emergency Nursing: JEN; Philadelphia
Volume
51
Issue
2
Pages
305-329
Publication year
2025
Publication date
Mar 2025
Section
Research
Publisher
Elsevier Limited
Place of publication
Philadelphia
Country of publication
United Kingdom
ISSN
00991767
e-ISSN
15272966
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
Document type
Journal Article
ProQuest document ID
3174004533
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/identifying-key-competencies-ambulance-nurses/docview/3174004533/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
©2025. Emergency Nurses Association
Last updated
2025-11-07
Database
ProQuest One Academic