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Article
The Nurse+engineer as the Prototype V-Shaped Professional
Nursing Outlook
  • Daniel B. Oerther, Missouri University of Science and Technology
  • Mary Ellen Glasgow
Abstract

Background: Descriptions of convergence research include promises to solve complex societal problems, such as environmental determinants of health and social determinants of health, through the integration of diverse disciplines, such as nursing and engineering, to create novel frameworks, such as the V-shaped professional. Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to define the nurse+engineer as a prototypical V-shaped professional. Methods: Starting from a description of the I-shaped discipline of nursing and the I-shaped discipline of engineering, we follow an intentional pathway to define the concept of the nurse+engineer as a new V-shaped professional. Findings: Examples of the nurse+engineer at the bedside and the nurse+engineer in the community are highlighted to support a theoretical definition of the V-shaped nurse+engineer. Discussion: Implications of the nurse+engineer in the workforce and practical recommendations for training nurse+engineer professionals are provided to improve healthcare policy, practice, research, and education through scientific discovery and innovation.

Department(s)
Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering
Keywords and Phrases
  • Convergence,
  • Engineering,
  • Interdisciplinary,
  • Nurse+engineer,
  • STEM,
  • STEMpathy,
  • Transdisciplinary,
  • V-shaped professional
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 2023 Elsevier, All rights reserved.
Publication Date
3-1-2022
Publication Date
01 Mar 2022
PubMed ID
34922765
Citation Information
Daniel B. Oerther and Mary Ellen Glasgow. "The Nurse+engineer as the Prototype V-Shaped Professional" Nursing Outlook Vol. 70 Iss. 2 (2022) p. 280 - 291 ISSN: 1528-3968; 0029-6554
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/daniel_oerther/149/