To understand the current situation of use and management of wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses in China, and provide a basis for further improving the use and management of specialist nurses.

Using the convenient sampling method, a questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 020 wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses trained by 21 provincial nursing societies and 12 international enterostomal therapist schools across China from December 2018 to January 2019. On the basis of literature review, we designed the Questionnaire of Work Status of Specialist Nurses of Wound Ostomy Incontinence, which was divided into three parts: general information, work status and hospital management with 33 items in total. The research group communicated with the leaders of 12 international stomatological therapists schools and the chairman of the professional committee of wound stomatological incontinence of 21 provincial nursing societies in China. After informed consent was obtained, the electronic questionnaire link was pushed and sent to the corresponding specialist nurses by the leaders and chairman of each school.

In this survey, 1 020 questionnaires were collected and invalid questionnaires were eliminated. A total of 885 valid questionnaires were collected. 81.5% (721/885) of nurses were engaged in specialized work part-time, among which clinical specialized nursing, nursing consultation, difficult case discussion and nursing ward round were the main work undertaken by specialist nurses. In terms of education, specialized nurses mainly undertake the work of health education for patients, teaching of continuing education projects and training and teaching of in-hospital specialized nurses. In terms of scientific research, 40.8% (361/885) of specialized nurses undertook scientific research projects and 41.2% (365/885) of specialized nurses published papers as the first author or corresponding author. In terms of specialist consultation, other nursing staff , patients or family members and doctors consulted specialist nurses for specialist questions. In terms of professional promotion, specialist nurses organized specialist studies, participated in standard setting and served on professional committees. Wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses had difficulties in management support and lack of knowledge and skills. The hospitals where 37.1% (328/885) specialized nurses worked had no relevant rules and regulations for wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses.

Wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses play an important role in many aspects and their role development is restricted. It is necessary to give more time, space, training and management support to specialist nurses. It is urgent to improve the job management of specialist nurses, improve relevant rules and regulations and promote the professional development of wound, ostomy and continence specialist nurses.

Ostomy; Cross-sectional study; Nursing management study; Wound, ostomy and continence; Specialist nurses; Working status