Towards a conceptual framework to guide the education of paediatric nurse experts

Abstract

This paper describes a conceptual framework for the education of paediatric nurse experts. The conceptual framework is informed by principles derived from an analysis of the accreditation criteria of councils of higher education. Furthermore, a literature search was conducted to identify models and theoretical and conceptual frameworks related to the education of paediatric nurses. These models were deconstructed and synthesised into a conceptual framework for the education of paediatric nurse experts, which was validated by educational and clinical experts. The synthesised framework consists of a patient-family-centred foundation that rests on three pillars representing situational factors, the programme and teaching and learning domains respectively. In following the proposed educational process, a paediatric nurse could be educated to become an expert. The teaching and learning domains are interdependent and equally important in the process of educating a paediatric nurse expert. It is suggested that the framework may be transferable to other programmes aimed at developing clinical nurse experts.