Common core content in education for nurses in ambulance care in Sweden, Finland and Belgium. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sjölin, Helena; Lindström, Veronica; Hult, Håkan; Ringsted, Charlotte; Kurland, Lisa
• Is Part Of: Nurse education in practice. Volume 38(2019)
• Page Start: 34
• Page End: 39
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: Curriculum -- Nurse education -- Ambulance care -- Emergency care; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Education, Nursing -- Periodicals; Nursing -- Study and teaching; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 610.73071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nepr.2019.05.017
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-5953

Abstract

Abstract: There is no consensus regarding the required education content and competence needed for professionals working in the emergency medical services and only a few countries in Europe staff ambulances with registered nurses. This study aimed to identify common core content in Swedish, Finnish and Belgian university curricula in the education on advanced level for registered nurses in ambulance care and to describe the teachers' perception of the necessary content for the profession as a registered nurse in ambulance care. A deductive research design was used. Three Universities, one from each country; Sweden, Finland and Belgium, participated. Data was generated from curricula and interviews with teachers and analyzed with different approaches of qualitative content analysis. The results showed commonness with respect to core content; the emphasis was mainly on medical knowledge but the content concerning contextual subjects differed between the three universities. The teachers, however, aimed for the students' to acquire a broad competence in clinical reasoning by implementing theory into practice, as well as developing the students' personal aptitude and instilling a scientific awareness. The results suggest that it is possible to create a common curriculum for training of RNs for working in ambulance care. Highlights: In advanced education for RNs in ambulance care, medical knowledge is essential. Content in medical science, clinical judgment, medical care and treatment dominate. Common content concerning nursing knowledge occurred, but in smaller extent. Content concerning contextual subjects differed between the three universities. Teachers aim to supply theory and practical skills, clinical reasoning and science.