Desenvolvimento de competências no cuidado ao doente crítico

Abstract

This report was developed within the scope of the curricular unit Final Internship and Report, which is an integral part of the 17th Master’s Degree in Nursing, with Specialization in Medical-Surgical Nursing in the area of the Person in Critical Situation, at the School of Nursing – Porto, Catholic University of Portugal. Its purpose is the consolidation and demonstration of the competencies acquired throughout the training process. The internship took place in two distinct hospital contexts, namely an emergency department and a nephrology department, providing a broad and differentiated experience of specialized practice. Throughout the training pathway, essential competencies were developed in the domains of care management, evidence-based practice, clinical decision-making in complex contexts, and personal and interpersonal development. These practice settings required an effective response to the needs of the person in critical condition, through well-founded interventions. The integration of updated scientific knowledge, combined with critical reflection skills, enabled sound decision-making and adaptation to unpredictable and demanding contexts. Self-awareness, both as a person and as a professional, proved central to building effective therapeutic relationships, managing emotions under pressure, and fostering a collaborative work environment. Research and evidence-based practice played a structuring role throughout this process, as they allowed interventions to be grounded, outcomes to be optimized, and the safety and quality of care to be ensured. The incorporation of scientific evidence into clinical practice not only promotes the continuous updating of knowledge but also stimulates the critical and reflective capacity of the specialist nurse, reinforcing professional autonomy. This report therefore reflects the complexity of caring for the person in critical condition, where specialized practice is built at the intersection of knowledge, technique, ethics, and humanization. The training experience was decisive for the development of an autonomous, responsible, critical, and reflective practice, oriented towards excellence in care and the safety of the person in critical condition.

Date of Award	30 Oct 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Irene Oliveira (Supervisor) & Rúben Encarnação (Co-Supervisor)