Integrative nursing in Europe - A competency profile for nursing students validated in a Delphi-study

Funding Information: This study is part of an EU-funded project by Erasmus+ (KA203 Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education): ‘The Integrative Nursing Education Series’ (2019-1-NL01-KA203-060478). Funding Information: Supported by the European Commission (Erasmus+ 2019-1-NL01-KA203-060478), the Integrative Nursing Education Series (INES) project is a collaboration between representatives of five medical and academic institutions in four European countries. The overall objective of the project is to strengthen European nursing students' knowledge, skills and competencies regarding integrative nursing and safe use of evidence-based complementary therapies and non-pharmacological interventions. To this aim, educational modules for bachelor nursing students are being prepared. However, there was no competency profile and learning outcomes to guide content selection and evaluate the benefits of this education. The aim of this study was to develop a competency profile for bachelor nursing students on integrative nursing and evidence-based complementary therapies and non-pharmacological interventions by asking experts in the field to critically review and validate suggested learning outcomes. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors ; Background: Integrative nursing is a framework for providing holistic care and includes complementary therapies and non-pharmacological interventions. There is no common European approach on how to educate healthcare professionals on complementary therapies and non-pharmacological interventions for symptom management. Nurses report a lack of formal education as the main barrier to applying integrative nursing. Objectives: The aim of this study is to develop and validate integrative nursing learning outcomes in a competency profile for bachelor nursing students. Methods: A two-round Delphi study was conducted with experts on integrative nursing and/or nurse education from eight European countries. The expert panelists rated their level of agreement with learning outcomes in relation to ...