The nature of advanced practice nursing

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Clinical Practice
• Healthcare Education

Background:

• Defining advanced practice nursing is crucial for professional development and patient care.
• Nursing is inherently goal-directed, with patient-identified goals guiding practice.
• Nurses utilize general knowledge (theory, pattern recognition, practical knowledge) and particular knowledge (patient-specific information).

Purpose of the Study:

• To define the core components of advanced nursing practice.
• To elucidate the role of knowledge integration in advanced nursing.
• To identify practical wisdom as a key characteristic of advanced practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of advanced practice nursing.
• Exploration of the interplay between general and particular knowledge.
• Definition of practical wisdom within the nursing context.

Main Results:

• Advanced practice nursing is characterized by a teleological, goal-directed approach.
• Nurses require both general and particular knowledge to meet patient goals.
• Graduate education enables advanced practice nurses to synthesize knowledge effectively.

Conclusions:

• Practical wisdom, the discernment of timely and appropriate action, is central to advanced nursing practice.
• The integration of general and particular knowledge, guided by practical wisdom, defines advanced practice.
• Advanced practice nurses leverage graduate education to enhance their practical wisdom and clinical judgment.