SynthesisScandinavian journal of caring sciences2026
Clinical Nurse Specialists' Journey From Novice to Expert-A Systematic Mixed-Method Review.
Synthesis in Scandinavian journal of caring sciences, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
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Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
AIMS AND
objectivesThe mixed-method review aimed to synthesize research on how clinical nurse specialists' expertise develops from novice to expert and how this progression can be supported. METHODOLOGICAL DESIGN AND JUSTIFICATION: The review was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and was registered on PROSPERO. A mixed-methods approach was used to combine qualitative and quantitative data and enhance the robustness of the findings. RESEARCH
methodsLiterature search was conducted in CINAHL, PubMed and Scopus in September 2024. The selection and quality assessment of the studies were performed using JBI critical appraisal tools. The synthesis was based on qualitative and quantitative studies, using Benner's 'From Novice to Expert' model as a framework. ETHICAL ISSUES AND APPROVAL: Ethical approval was not required for this study. OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcomes were stages of expertise development and factors supporting progression.
resultsEleven articles were included for review. Becoming a clinical nurse specialist requires a basic nursing degree, clinical experience and a higher education degree. According to the results, expertise was seen to develop through three stages: novice, competent and expert, with the support of organizations, mentors, colleagues and multi-professional collaboration. Pursuing continuing education while gaining experience is essential to carry on the journey towards expertise. STUDY LIMITATIONS: The study screening process may have introduced selection bias, potentially leading to the omission of relevant articles. Additionally, selected articles on other interventions, such as service development, were excluded. However, they could have provided further insights into development.
conclusionsThis review shows that developing CNS expertise from novice to expert requires education, clinical experience, and continuous professional support. Strengthening structures and collaboration enhances patient care, while further research on support strategies and competencies is needed.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.