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Thursday, August 28, 2008  
Advanced Nursing Practice

 

The AANPE does not dictate definitions of Advanced Nursing Practice, Advanced Clinical Nursing Practice, or the specifics of role titles such as Advanced Nurse Practitioner.

 

In contrast the AANPE notes the diversity and scope of advanced nursing practice, whilst observing statutary and professional regulatory frameworks and guidance.   

We also refer all AANPE members to the competency domains detailed by the NMC as UK wide standard statements. 


“Nursing practice is becoming more diverse than ever before and the boundaries of inter and intra-professional practices are becoming increasingly blurred.”

(Daly and Carnwell 2003)


“Nurse practitioner practice is not bounded by any convenient definition of nursing and what might be perceived as medical practice. Such parameters do not exist and, even if they did, they would be subject to constant change as the nurse practitioner role develops to incorporate a wider scope of activity.”
(RCN 1997)

“The professional certification process (of advance practice nursing) meets the objective of greater professional autonomy and provides recognition of a nationally uniform measure of competence that can be relied on by the public in making healthcare provider choices with confidence.”

(American Association of Colleges of Nursing 1999)


“Some may take the view that it does not matter whether different (professional) titles are used, but there is an argument that consistent language should be used for the benefit of colleagues and healthcare consumers in making decisions about appropriate referral and the expected competence of practitioners. Clear frameworks for roles and associated competencies might facilitate such decision-making.”

(Daly and Carnwell 2003)


 

Advanced Nurse Practitioners - Defined

The following definition of the Advanced Nurse Practitioner was made available to the AANPE by the NMC in February 2006.



“Advanced nurse practitioners are highly experienced and educated members of the care team who are able to diagnose and treat your healthcare needs or refer you to an appropriate specialist if needed.”


Advanced nurse practitioners are highly skilled nurses who can:

  • take a comprehensive patient history
  • carry out physical examinations
  • use their expert knowledge and clinical judgment to identify the potential diagnosis
  • refer patients for investigations where appropriate
  • make a final diagnosis
  • decide on and carry out treatment, including the prescribing of medicines, or refer patients to an appropriate specialist
  • use their extensive practice experience to plan and provide skilled and competent care to meet patient’s health and social care needs, involving other members of the health care team as appropriate
  • ensure the provision of continuity of care including follow-up visits
  • assess and evaluate, with patients, the effectiveness of the treatment and care provided and make changes as needed
  • work independently, although often as part of a health care team
  • provide leadership
  • make sure that each patient’s treatment and care is based on best practice


The NMC states that only nurses who have achieved the competencies set by the NMC for a registered ANP are permitted to call themselves by this title.

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