
The objective of this study was to examine whether the position of 'after hours clinical support enrolled nurse' is embracing clinical skill extension in the acute surgical area.Experienced enrolled nurses employed in a supernumerary capacity documented all activities with which they were engaged over a six-month period.Six surgical wards within a tertiary referral hospital, Sydney, Australia.Enrolled nurses working after hours in an extended support role in a supernumerary capacity.Data demonstrated that, in this study, the 'after hours clinical support enrolled nurse' was primarily performing routine nursing activities. Although the number of extended skills (n=13) performed could be considered diverse for an enrolled nurse, many were seldom performed. The most frequently performed extended skills were patient escorts and undertaking bladder ultrasounds with a mobile scanner. Medication administration was rarely performed.The role primarily incorporates basic nursing care with minimal scope for extended skills. The paper recommends that basic nursing practices be delegated to assistants in nursing to enable the 'after hours clinical support enrolled nurse' to effectively support registered nurses and extend their own practice.
Adult, Australia, Nurses, surgical nursing, nurses, Urban Health Services, Workforce, Humans, 111099 - Nursing not elsewhere classified, Female, Clinical Competence, Rural Health Services, hospital wards
Adult, Australia, Nurses, surgical nursing, nurses, Urban Health Services, Workforce, Humans, 111099 - Nursing not elsewhere classified, Female, Clinical Competence, Rural Health Services, hospital wards
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 10 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Top 10% | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
