Becoming a Family and Community Nurse

Navigating Role Identity in a Fragmented System. A Phenomenological Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15736659
AuthorsIsabella Santomauro (0009-0000-1003-1239, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”), Erika Bassi (0000-0001-6031-1271, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”), Erica Busca (0000-0002-1960-2912, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”, corresponding author), Ines Basso (0000-0002-9283-236X, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”), Elisa Ambrosi (0000-0003-0336-5956, University of Verona), Melania Stedile (0009-0005-5710-1229, University of Verona), Angela Durante (0000-0003-1034-5988, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna), Alberto Dal Molin (0000-0003-2263-1340, Università degli Studi del Piemonte Orientale “Amedeo Avogadro”)
Year2025
Volume12
Pages23333936251384438-23333936251384438
Publication date2025-10-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Qualitative Nursing Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2333-3936 • E-ISSN: 2333-3936
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/23333936251384438
PMID41159063
OpenAlexW4415460997
LanguageEN
References cited29

In Italy, the Family and Community Nurse (FCN) was officially recognized with Legislative Decree 34/2020 and redefined by Ministerial Decree 77/2022. The introduction of the FCN has been inconsistent across the nation, leading to fragmented experiences and challenges in fully integrating the role into the healthcare system. Based on Cohen's hermeneutic approach, this phenomenological study explores the lived experiences and meaning of being an FCN in Italy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted from December 2023 to June 2024. Interviews were transcribed, read in-depth and analyzed. Thirty-seven FCNs from four Italian regions were interviewed. Four main themes were identified: (a) Navigating elderly care complexity; (b) Education as a core function; (c) Being a node in the healthcare network; (d) Establishing the FCN identity through role differentiation. Being a FCN means managing complex needs, ensuring continuity of care, and collaborating effectively with the other primary care providers. FCNs distinguish themselves from task-oriented home care nurses by embracing a proactive approach, gaining greater organizational autonomy and actively shaping their professional identity. The implications for practice suggest the need to support FCNs in this consolidation phase through health policies that enhance their contribution to community care

Autonomy · Decree · Health care · Identity (music · Interpretative phenomenological analysis · Legislature · Meaning (existential · Family and Patient Care in Intensive Care Units · Family Support in Illness · Nursing Roles and Practices

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Open DOIOpen Access