Insights into Advanced Neuroscience Nursing Competencies for Clinical Nurse Specialists in Italy: a Review and Consensus Board Analysis

Background: Initiated by the European Association of Neuroscience Nursing (EANN) in 2008, the NeuroBlend™ project aimed to define key roles and competencies in neuroscience nursing. This led to the development of a European Competence Profile (ECP) to establish common learning pathways and recognize this specialized nursing field. The Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) profile includes competencies such as communication, education, flexibility, analytical skills, ethical considerations, initiative, empathy, stress perseverance, and reflective abilities. Aim: This study aims to evaluate the adherence to the NeuroBlend™ model of advanced nursing competencies in neuroscience within care settings for multiple sclerosis, pediatric neurosurgery, pediatric neurology, Alzheimer's disease, and drug addictions. Methology: A phenomenological approach was used, employing confirmatory focus groups to gather nurses’ perspectives on the defined competencies. Participants included two 'competent' nurses, two 'skilled' nurses, and two 'expert' nurses from each division, selected through convenience sampling. Data analysis involved identifying recurring themes across different care settings. Results: Thirty nurses took part in the study on a voluntary basis. The findings highlighted the crucial role of competencies such as communication, education, flexibility, empathy, and reflective capacity, which were deemed essential across all care settings. Common themes included "relationship with the patient and family," "personalized care," and "continuity of the care process." However, the 'initiative' competency did not align with the experiences of the participants. Discussion: The study confirms that the competencies outlined in NeuroBlend™ are integral to the role of nurses in the examined neuroscience contexts and are relevant to the Italian healthcare environment. The exception was the initiative competency, which suggests a need for further investigation into its applicability and relevance.