A Study on the Present Status of Clinical Nurses with Expanded Role

진료협력간호사의 운영현황에 관한 연구

Purpose: The purpose for this study was to identify the present state of Clinical Nurses with Expanded Role (CNERs) and provide basic data to refine the roles of CNERs. In this study, CNREs refers to nurses who perform techniques traditionally done by doctors and use titles such as clinical nursing specialist, educator with consultation, research assistant, coordinator, physician assistant and special examiner. Method: This study was conducted from September 1 to November 12, 2007. Data from 684 nurses from 38 hospitals who responded to the questionnaire were analyzed with descriptive statistics using the SPSS 14.0 program. Results: The mean percentage of time spent was, for direct practice, 41.1%, for education and counseling, 22.8%, for consultation and coordination, 10.4%, for research, 6.8%, for administration, 8.9% and for other activities, 10.0%. The most frequently implemented CNERs, activities included consultation and education for patients and their families, counseling by telephone, history taking, physical examination, reading examination results, psychosocial assessment, managing treatment, input of prescriptions, and writing up patient records, Although not frequently performed, nurses in some fields carried out invasive procedures and prescribed medication and laboratory tests. Conclusion: Although the number of hospital CNERs are rapidly increasing, there is still confusion about the title and framework as well as standards. Furthermore, because some nurses are prescribing medication and laboratory tests as well as performing techniques not traditionally done by nurses, there is an absolute need for a legalized system and systematic education system for the safety of patients who are being cared by all CNERs.