"The purpose of the study was to explore issues which may support Australian critical care nurses to pre-determine the dimensions of a new advanced nursing practice role for adult critical care settings. This study was based on the qualitative approach of focus group methodology. Data was collected from a purposive sample of 26 critical care nurses working in regional Queensland. The data was subjected to thematic content analysis to inductively identify emerging themes." -- abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore issues which may support Australian critical care nurses to pre-determine the dimensions of a new advanced nursing practice role for adult critical care settings. This study was based on the qualitative approach of focus group methodology. Data was collected from a purposive sample of 26 critical care nurses working in regional Queensland. The data was subjected to thematic content analysis to inductively identify emerging themes. Data analysis identified that participants perceived there was a need for an advanced nursing practice role for adult critical care settings. The need for recognition of and legal sanction for nurses' present practices in these settings that extend beyond the current scope of nursing pradice contributed to this finding. Responsibilities within the role were perceived to be both core and subspecialty specific. Though respondents believed prerequisite education and recognised competency was needed, inherent difficulties exist in the development of strategies to achieve these. The role was perceived to have multifaceted benefits. However barriers to role implementation and performance were perceived to come from multiple sources. Discussion, debate and further research among the wider critical care nursing population is required to expand upon the themes identified from this study and to develop strategies for change