Pregledni rad
https://doi.org/10.65241/wh.8.2.9
Mapping competencies for specialist nurses in Europe: a scoping review
Tihana Gaspert
orcid.org/0000-0002-0983-1551
; University of Maribor, Faculty of Health Sciences, Zitna Ulica 15, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
*
Biljana Filipovic
; Fakultet zdravstvenih studija Sveučilišta u Rijeci, Viktora Cara Emina 5, Rijeka, Hrvatska
Adriano Friganovic
; Zdravstveno veleučilište, Mlinarska cesta 38, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Alessandro Stievano
; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
Vedrana Vejzovic
; Malmö University, Faculty of Health and Society, Department of Care Science, Malmö, Sweden
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Background: Specialist nurses play a pivotal role in
addressing Europe’s complex health needs, including aging
populations, rising chronic diseases, and shortages of healthcare
professionals. However, the development of specialist nursing
roles across Europe remains fragmented, with significant
variation in education, competencies, and recognition between
countries. While international models provide well-established
frameworks for advanced nursing practice, European efforts
to harmonize specialist nursing competencies have been
inconsistent. This scoping review aimed to map and synthesize
the available literature and frameworks on specialist nursing
competencies in Europe.
Methods: This scoping review followed the JBI methodology
and PRISMA-ScR reporting guidelines. Studies and policy
documents focusing on specialist nurses, their core
competencies, and educational frameworks in Europe were
included, alongside relevant grey literature. Searches were
conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsycArticles, Web of Science,
PubMed, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Google Scholar.
Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data,
and findings were synthesised narratively.
Results: A total of ten studies were included, spanning
single-country analyses (e.g., Scotland, Finland) and multicountry
European and international initiatives. Most studies
focused on role development, competency identification, or
curriculum design for specialist and advanced practice nurses.
Common competency domains identified included clinical care,
leadership, communication, education, and research. Evidence
from feasibility and evaluation studies demonstrated that
advanced and specialist nursing roles improve accessibility,
continuity, and quality of care, particularly in primary and
community health settings. Despite variation in educational
pathways and regulatory frameworks, the studies consistently
supported the feasibility and necessity of advanced practice
roles and underscored the need for greater harmonisation
across Europe.
Conclusions: Specialist nurses make a measurable contribution
to patient safety, care accessibility, satisfaction, and potentially
cost-effectiveness. Nonetheless, differences in regulation,
role recognition, and practice scope continue to challenge
cross-country harmonisation and professional mobility. To
fully leverage the potential of specialist nurses in achieving EU
health priorities, sustained investment in policy development,
legislative alignment, and outcome-based research is crucial.
Ključne riječi
Competency Mapping; Specialist Nurses; Nursing Competencies; Advanced Nursing Practice; Professional Standards
Hrčak ID:
343017
URI
Datum izdavanja:
24.12.2025.
Posjeta: 682 *