Understanding advanced nursing practice.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The role of advanced nurse practitioners (ANPs) has been debated, with some viewing them as filling gaps left by junior doctors.
• Healthcare resource pressures have influenced the perceived scope of ANP practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To trace the history of advanced nursing practice.
• To propose a model for advanced nursing practice aligned with the Francis report.
• To advocate for a focus on core nursing values and patient-centered care.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of nursing practice evolution.
• Literature review concerning the role of ANPs.
• Discussion of healthcare policy implications post-Francis report.

Main Results:

• The historical trajectory of advanced practice has seen ANPs encroaching on medical territory.
• A shift towards fundamental nursing skills and core values is recommended.
• Patient needs that are beyond the scope of medical practitioners should be the focus of advanced nursing.

Conclusions:

• Advanced nursing practice should be distinct from medical practice, emphasizing unique nursing contributions.
• The focus should be on patient needs that require specialized nursing expertise, not on substituting for doctors.
• Re-evaluating the ANP role post-Francis report necessitates a return to foundational nursing principles and patient-centered care.