Wie Pflegeexpert_innen in Deutschschweizer Pflegeheimen ihre Rollenentwicklung gestalten: Eine qualitative Sekundärdatenanalyse

Background: In Swiss nursing homes, often registered nurses in expanded roles are responsible for developing and maintaining quality of care. These are qualified nurses with a heterogeneous educational background and extensive professional experience. However, little is known of how they develop their roles in nursing homes. Aim: The aim of this study is to show how nurses in expanded roles in nursing homes create the development of their professional roles. Method: Using a constructivist approach, we conducted a qualitative secondary data analysis of 14 semi-structured interviews with nurses in expanded roles from nursing homes in German-speaking Switzerland. The data were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: We found the constituent theme,vision as motivation" and a three-phase cycle of role development in the reports of the fourteen nurses in expanded roles. The vision of high-quality care of residents motivates nurses in expanded roles to shape and further develop their role in three phases: 1) Shaping their roles successively; 2) Developing their roles continuously; and 3) Realign their roles. Conclusions: Nursing professionals continuously adapt their roles to the shifting context to improve the quality of nursing care. To succeed, they and their supervisors need a shared vision for quality of care.