Steps in the development of an international curriculum for respiratory nurses (ICRN) : a Delphi process plan to standardise levels of respiratory nursing education

Introduction: The sizable population of people with respiratory conditions places a significant demand on healthcare services and a need for specialized nursing care. Aim: The ERS Nursing Group recognized the need for harmonized curricula for respiratory nurses. The following steps incorporate the knowledge and experience of academic and clinical experts. Methodology: Steps in the Delphi Process for ICRN (Cantrill, et al. Int. J Pharm. Prac, 1996): 1) 2020 - Choose Facilitator; ERS chair & 2 researchers (Sajnic A, Narsavage G, Kelly C), 2) 2020 - Identify Experts; ICRN Advisory Group, in 2021, a group was added to support patient involvement, 3) 2021 - Define the Problem; ICRN Global Needs Survey (Narsavage et al.) confirmed the need for ICRN and assessed the status of respiratory nursing in 25 countries worldwide, 4) Review the literature; scoping review in process (2022) for a starting point for survey questions, 5) Round One Questions; country-based focus groups and literature summarized by the advisory group will form survey for global group. Common items will constitute a Round Two survey, 6) Round Two Questions; a survey will identify ICRN items and summarize common areas, 7) Round Three Questions; what the experts are all agreed upon will be answered, 8) Act on Findings; a consensus document for the core curriculum will be published. Conclusion: Worldwide recognition of respiratory nursing as a speciality with a harmonized ICRN based on the Delphi process can be effective in improving the quality of care and patients' outcomes in active partnerships with other healthcare professionals.