Critical care nurses role and scope of practice during a global crisis: a qualitative study

This study aimed to explore critical care nurses` experience of their role and scope of practice when caring for patients with COVID-19 during the pandemic in Norway. The findings revealed a need to acknowledge the unique broad competence and moral responsibility of CCNs in caring for ICU patients when an unknown virus led to the lockdown of a country such as Norway. Moreover, the CCNs` role and scope of a wide variety of responsibilities needs to be addressed, and their strong sense of duty needs attention and support. A sustainable qualified critical care workforce should be established and supported to prepare for future global crises.