Dutch advanced nursing practice students: role development through international short-term immersion

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Leadership

Background:

• The master's advanced nursing practice (ANP) program at Rotterdam University integrates international experience into leadership development.
• The nurse practitioner (NP) role in the Netherlands is relatively new and evolving.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an international exchange program on Dutch NP students' role perception.
• To determine if international experience encourages NP role development among students.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to 20 master's ANP students before and after an international exchange program.
• The study examined changes in students' vision of the NP role and their engagement in role development.

Main Results:

• International exchange positively influenced students' vision of their NP role in the Netherlands.
• The experience appeared to encourage students to actively develop the NP role.

Conclusions:

• International exposure empowers Dutch NP students by providing insights into established NP environments.
• This experience cultivates a stronger sense of professional identity and pride in the ANP role.