Exploring nurses' experiences of the presence of a wound care specialist: a qualitative study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Wound care is a critical aspect of nursing practice, yet nurses often face challenges related to limited knowledge, lack of structured training, and insufficient organizational support. The integration of specialist wound care nurses has been suggested to enhance clinical outcomes, continuity of care, and professional competence among nursing staff. This study aimed to explore nurses' experiences with a specialist wound care nurse in a hospital setting and to identify the impact of this role on clinical practice and team performance. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive-exploratory study was conducted in 2024-2025 at a specialized surgical and trauma care center in Iran. Ten participants, including staff nurses, head nurses, a specialist wound care nurse, and a nursing instructor, were recruited through purposeful sampling with maximum variation. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews (average duration: 35 min) and field notes, and analyzed using Graneheim and Lundman's qualitative content analysis framework. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability strategies. RESULTS: Four main categories emerged: Specialized Wound Care, Continuity of Wound Care, Empowerment of Nurses, and Challenges and Strategies for Improvement. Specialist nurses enhanced evidence-based decision-making, improved care quality, accelerated wound healing, and reduced complications. They facilitated continuous, coordinated care across wards and empowered other nurses through clinical education and experiential learning. Barriers included staff shortages, undefined organizational positions, and insufficient managerial support, highlighting the need for structural and policy interventions. CONCLUSION: The presence of a specialist wound care nurse positively influences patient outcomes, care continuity, and professional development of nursing staff. For sustainable implementation, organizational support, formalized positions, adequate staffing, and Interprofessional education are essential. Integrating this role into hospital systems can foster safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered wound management.