Unsworth, J., Greene, K., Ali, P. orcid.org/0000-0002-7839-8130 et al. (2 more authors) (2024) Advanced practice nurse roles in Europe: implementation challenges, progress and lessons learnt. International Nursing Review, 71 (2). pp. 299-308. ISSN 0020-8132
Abstract
Background
Advanced practice nursing (APN) roles offer improved access to care and increased quality and more timely care. Despite the advantages of APN roles, there is a disparity between European countries when it comes to implementing APN roles.
Aim
To explore the implementation of APN roles in a range of European countries and to explore what factors facilitate or hinder the implementation of these roles.
Methods
A case study evaluation of the process of implementing APN roles. The sample included four countries where APN roles were well developed (Ireland, Spain, Norway and the United Kingdom) and four where APN roles were implemented (Estonia, Slovenia, Cyprus and Romania). Interviews were conducted with key informants (n = 28) from government departments, regulatory bodies, nursing associations and universities. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (CPREQ) has been used throughout.
Limitations
The small number of countries when considering the size of the region and key informants representing the view of only three to four people in each country.
Results
Four themes were identified, including the rationale for the development of the roles, influence, the evolutionary nature of role development and evidence. The data also revealed a mismatch between the perceptions of how the roles develop among the different countries in the early stages of implementation.
Conclusion
Successful role implementation is dependent upon a tripartite approach between managers, practitioners and educators. An evolutionary approach to role development was used. Regulation and policy come later on in the process of implementation.
Implications for nursing policy
APN policy should be based on patient needs rather than on the workforce or professional imperatives. The process of implementation can take 15–20 years in total. Recognising the importance of the relationships between service managers and educators is key to the early development of these roles.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2022 The Authors. International Nursing Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Council of Nurses. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. |
Keywords: | Advanced practice nursing; barriers; case study; drivers; Europe; evaluation; implementation; role |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health (Sheffield) > The Medical School (Sheffield) > Academic Unit of Medical Education (Sheffield) |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 05 Oct 2022 11:05 |
Last Modified: | 17 Jul 2024 10:17 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Wiley |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1111/inr.12800 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:191171 |