Triage Competence and Challenges Among Registered Nurses in Emergency Care : A descriptive literature review
Asare Antwiwaah, Enoch; Hamal, Pujan (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061022121
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025061022121
Tiivistelmä
The purpose of this bachelor’s thesis was to describe the competence and challenges encountered by registered nurses in performing triage assessments within emergency care settings. By conducting a descriptive literature review, the study aimed to produce new knowledge about nursing triage assessment that can be utilized to improve the level of in-service training for emergency nurses.
The methods involved the examination of academic databases CINAHL and Medline, yielding a total of 305 records. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected for analysis. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis, resulting in the identification of two main categories: nurses’ competence in triage and the challenges faced.
The results reported that nurses’ triage competence is significantly influenced by clinical reasoning, structured training, education and professional experience. However, challenges such as heavy workloads, resource limitations, and communication barriers were frequently identified. Additionally, the findings highlighted inconsistencies in the application of triage protocols and the need for ongoing education to reduce knowledge gaps.
This study concludes that nurses’ triage competence can be improved by a combination of structured training programs, updated protocols, adaptive technology, and organizational support. Addressing systemic challenges, such as staffing shortages and resource limitations, is essential to improving triage accuracy and reducing the risk of burnout. These findings may contribute to the development of more effective triage systems and professional development programs for nurses in emergency care settings.
The methods involved the examination of academic databases CINAHL and Medline, yielding a total of 305 records. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 10 studies were selected for analysis. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis, resulting in the identification of two main categories: nurses’ competence in triage and the challenges faced.
The results reported that nurses’ triage competence is significantly influenced by clinical reasoning, structured training, education and professional experience. However, challenges such as heavy workloads, resource limitations, and communication barriers were frequently identified. Additionally, the findings highlighted inconsistencies in the application of triage protocols and the need for ongoing education to reduce knowledge gaps.
This study concludes that nurses’ triage competence can be improved by a combination of structured training programs, updated protocols, adaptive technology, and organizational support. Addressing systemic challenges, such as staffing shortages and resource limitations, is essential to improving triage accuracy and reducing the risk of burnout. These findings may contribute to the development of more effective triage systems and professional development programs for nurses in emergency care settings.