Dementia nursing competency in acute care settings: A concept analysis

Abstract

Aim: To critically analyse the concept of dementia nursing competency in acute care settings.

Backgrounds: The nursing care needs of patients with dementia are increasing in acute care settings. However, a framework for the dementia nursing competency has not been explicitly outlined.

Design: Rodgers' evolutionary method for concept analysis.

Data sources: Competenc* AND dementia AND nurs* AND acute OR hospital OR clinical were selected from the MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, CiNii, and Google Scholar for publication from 2006 to 2017.

Review methods: All 29 articles were identified. Data were analysed with a particular focus on the attributes, antecedents, and consequences of the concept.

Results: Six attributes were identified: respecting patient individuality, applying ethical considerations, providing person-centred care, possessing responsibility, coordinating external environments, and possessing care coordination and facilitation skills. Identified antecedents included building theoretical and clinical knowledge, developing an awareness of dementia and its risk behaviours, performing assessments of dementia nursing practice, developing relationships with patients with dementia, and applying a team approach. Applying the competency led to positive consequences for patients, nurses, and patient-nurse and nursing team relationships.

Conclusion: Developing the dementia nursing competency results in stronger emotional interventions and adds a human-to-human connection.

Keywords: acute care; concept analysis; dementia; nursing; nursing competency.