Nurse Anaesthetists Report Professional Shift After Paediatric Training

A qualitative study published in BMC Nursing examines the perspectives of Scandinavian nurse anaesthetists regarding their professional roles after completing a post-registration program in paediatric anaesthesia. The research, led by Magdalena Maria Röper and colleagues including Ann-Chatrin Linqvist Leonardsen, Axel Wolf, Anja Geisler, Ulrica Nilsson, and Fiona M. Flynn, utilized individual semi-structured interviews with 18 nurse anaesthetists from Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. All participants had successfully completed the Nordic post-registration program, an initiative established to support the development of specialized competence among nurse anaesthetists.

The study employed an inductive approach, specifically Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis, to interpret the data and identify underlying patterns in the participants' experiences. Paediatric anaesthesia requires specialized competence to address the unique physiological, psychological, and developmental needs of children. The Nordic program was established to support the development of such competence among nurse anaesthetists.

The study sought to understand how this specialized training influences the professional identity and daily practice of the participants. The analysis of the interview data revealed three central themes. The first theme was the development of a new professional identity.

Participants described a process of professional transformation in which specialized paediatric competence became integrated into their professional identity. The second theme highlighted the participants' perception of making a real difference for children. The third theme focused on the internalization of knowledge and expertise, leading to intuitive practice.

Participants described expertise as characterized by growing confidence, enhanced non-technical skills, and the ability to make intuitive and context-sensitive clinical judgements. The study concludes that the Nordic post-registration program in paediatric anaesthesia appears to accelerate the development of specialized competence and a distinct professional identity. The findings suggest that the competencies developed through the program extend beyond technical skills to include the internalization of knowledge that supports intuitive practice and professional legitimacy.

This holistic approach to training is crucial for maintaining patient safety in complex paediatric anaesthesia practice.

Subject of Research: Impact of post-registration paediatric anaesthesia training on professional identity and competence among Scandinavian nurse anaesthetists

Article Title: Scandinavian nurse anaesthetists’ perspectives on their role after completing a post-registration program in paediatric anaesthesia: a qualitative study

Article References: Röper, M. M., Leonardsen, A.-C. L., Wolf, A., Geisler, A., Nilsson, U., & Flynn, F. M. (2026). Scandinavian nurse anaesthetists’ perspectives on their role after completing a post-registration program in paediatric anaesthesia: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-026-05570-3

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12912-026-05570-3

Keywords: paediatric anaesthesia, nurse anaesthetists, professional identity, qualitative study, Scandinavia, post-registration training, clinical competence, healthcare education, Scandinavian, nurse, anaesthetists, perspectives