O processo de desenvolvimento de competências especializadas para a excelência do cuidar

Abstract

This document emerges as part of the curricular unit “Estágio Final e Relatório”, integrated into the curricular plan of the 17th course of the Master's Degree in Nursing, with Specialization in Medical-Surgical Nursing in the area of Nursing for People in Critical Situations, at the School of Nursing (Porto), of the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and is representative of the entire formative process carried out to acquire and develop the skills of a specialist nurse and master in nursing. This process was conducted in two different practice contexts which included an Intensive Care Unit and an Intermediate Care Unit. The work was produced using a descriptive and critical-reflective methodology, supported by the latest scientific evidence, through the articulation of various levels of knowledge and processes of reflection on the experiences lived during clinical practice. The foundation was structured according to the domains of common and specific skills of the specialist nurse, in the respective area of specialization, established by the Ordem dos Enfermeiros. In its development, the activities were highlighted with a focus on continuous quality improvement and professional development, to build a professional profile of excellence. Communication with people in critical situations was mentioned as a central component of care and a structuring pillar of the student's professional identity. In this context, the research conducted in this area of intervention was emphasized, through the review of the literature on augmentative and alternative communication strategies for adult patients with invasive mechanical ventilation in intensive care units, which is a fundamental process in the development of master skills. Caring for others, especially in moments of vulnerability caused by critical illness, requires a firm commitment to the values of the profession, with the specialist nurse being an agent that promotes the improvement of the care provided, raising the quality, safety, and efficiency of their interventions, therefore assuming a continuous commitment to excellence in care.

Date of Award	2 Jun 2025
Original language	Portuguese
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Rúben Encarnação (Supervisor)