Advanced or advancing nursing practice: what is the future direction for nursing?

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• Advanced nursing practice roles emerged due to doctor shortages and increasing complex patient needs.
• The focus on medical skills has sidelined the development of advanced nursing practice, particularly for managing long-term conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the current state of advanced nursing practice.
• To advocate for a renewed focus on 'advancing' nursing practice beyond purely medical skill development.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and critical analysis of current advanced nursing practice trends.
• Examination of the impact of medicalization on nursing roles.

Main Results:

• Advanced nursing practice roles are heavily medically focused, overshadowing essential components like innovation, education, research, and clinical leadership.
• The potential of advanced nursing practice to address complex, long-term health conditions is underutilized.

Conclusions:

• Advanced nurse practitioners must actively embrace and demonstrate 'advancing' nursing practice as a primary function.
• Re-emphasizing core nursing roles is crucial for effectively meeting contemporary healthcare challenges.