Standardized nursing terminologies in nursing education and clinical practice: an Italian survey

Introduction Standardized Nursing Terminologies (SNTs) support the description, documentation, and measurement of nursing care, promoting its visibility. No previous studies described SNTs’ dissemination and utilization in Italy. The aim of the study is to describe SNTs used by nurses in Italian educational and clinical settings. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 145 centres across the country. Data were collected by two questionnaires developed for this study: one for educational settings and one for clinical settings. Results The utilization of at least one SNT was reported by the 87% (N=56) of Nursing Degree Directors and by the 46% (N=28) of the Health Professions Directors. The most used SNTs were: NANDA-I (92%, N=51 Nursing Degrees; 71%, N=20 Hospital Directions), NOC (67%, N=38 Nursing Degrees; 50%, N=15 Hospital Directions), NIC (67%, N=38 Nursing Degrees; 53%, N=15 Hospital Directions), and ICNP (14%, N=8 Nursing Degrees; 5%, N=2 Hospital Directions). A plurality of approaches, theoretical models, organizational models and documentation systems emerged from the educational and clinical settings where SNTs are used. Conclusion The dissemination of SNTs in Italy is not less than those described in other countries both in Europe and in North America. Guidelines for the SNTs’ implementation at national level could encourage the use of a common language and the availability of vital information to ensure the quality of nursing care and the patients’ safety. Future research is needed to assess barriers for the SNTs’ implementation across the country, and to evaluate the effectiveness of educational and/or organizational interventions aimed to promote the use of SNTs