Background: Over the past few years, the complexity of the health care system in which nurses are required to\npractice has increased considerably, magnifying the need for excellent professionals with a specific set of\nknowledge, skills and attitudes. However, the characteristics that distinguish an excellent nurse have not yet\nbeen clarified.\nThe aim of this study was to determine nurses� perspectives regarding characteristics associated with an\nexcellent nurse in order to elicit a conceptual profile.\nMethod: A focus group design followed by Delphi panel content validation was utilized. Information regarding\nnurses� perspectives was derived from six focus group discussions comprising 19 nurses involved in hospital\npractice and 24 nurses with experience in mental health care. The analysis of the focus group discussions\nresulted in nine domains whereby content validity was achieved with contributions from a Delphi panel survey\nwith 26 professionals.\nResults: As determined by the survey, a combination of these specified aspects characterize an excellent nurse:\nanalytical, communicative, cooperative, coordinating, disseminates knowledge, empathic, evidence-driven,\ninnovative and introspective.\nConclusion: Determining what establishes an excellent nurse according to experienced nurses is valuable as\nthis information can influence the broadening curriculum for educating future nurses to meet the needs in the\nprofessional field, contributing to the quality of care. This conceptual profile can be used as a reference guide\nfor supervisors and professionals to personally improve their clinical practice as well as for education.
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