Critical care nursing organizations and activities: a fourth worldwide review.
AIM
To examine the activities and concerns of critical care nurses and professional critical care nursing organizations around the world and to identify expectations held of nursing leaders and policy makers to help address their concerns.


BACKGROUND
This study is the fourth worldwide review of its type. Previous surveys were undertaken in 2001, 2005 and 2009.


METHODS
An online descriptive survey was emailed to 88 potential participants from countries with critical care nursing organizations or known critical care nursing leaders. Responses were downloaded into Survey Monkey™ (Version 22) and analysed by geographical region and income level.


RESULTS
Fifty-nine respondents from 58 countries completed the questionnaire, of whom 43 had critical care nursing organizations established in their countries and 29 were members of the World Federation of Critical Care Nurses. The services provided by the organizations to be of most value were national conferences, website, professional representation, and practice standards and guidelines. Professional policies had been developed by some organizations on workforce, education and practice, while almost half provided their members with either a newsletter or journal. Collectively, the most important issues for critical care nurses were working conditions, provision of formal practice guidelines and competencies, staffing levels and access to quality education programmes.


CONCLUSIONS
Important issues continue to challenge the specialty of critical care nursing as new developments, priorities, clinical issues and other global events and influences impact critical care nursing worldwide.


IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY
This study will help guide nursing leaders and policy makers to address the needs of critical care nurses and their patients. Collaborative approaches between the specialty, nursing leaders and health policy advisors will assist to inform appropriate change in areas recommended for further action.
['Williams|G|G|', 'Fulbrook|P|P|', 'Kleinpell|R|R|', 'Schmollgruber|S|S|', 'Alberto|L|L|']
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel D002983:Clinical Competence D064648:Critical Care Nursing D006801:Humans D007588:Job Satisfaction D010559:Personnel Management D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic D012956:Societies, Nursing D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Nursing Clinical Specialist Intensive Care International Health Nursing International Issues Nursing Leadership