Factors influencing tissue viability nurse specialists in the UK: 2

The literature review presented in the first part of this article (Vol 7(11): 648-57) revealed a lack of empirical data on specific contextual issues concerning the current practice of tissue viability clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) in the UK. This descriptive study utilizes focus groups to explore the experiences of tissue viability CNSs. It highlights the development of a facilitative style of expert practice within this group of nurse specialists and makes recommendations for successful role implementation. The findings suggest that specialist nurses are evolving a style of practice in congruence with the UKCC's vision of specialist practice (UKCC, 1994) and that these characteristics are likely to become more apparent over the next decade.