Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Practice Nursing Roles

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Health Services Research
• Program Evaluation

Background:

• Switzerland faces a gap in evidence-based guidance for advanced practice nursing (APN) roles.
• Stakeholders require strategic evaluation data to support APN role development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an evaluation framework designed to inform decisions on the effective utilization of APN roles in Switzerland.
• To provide guidance for generating strategic evaluation data for APN roles.

Main Methods:

• A participatory approach involving international stakeholders.
• Analysis of published literature and an evidence-based framework for APN role introduction.
• Refinement through expert panel review.

Main Results:

• A framework was developed to evaluate APN roles across introduction, implementation, and sustainability stages.
• Includes a matrix of key concepts for guiding evaluations.
• Identifies evaluation objectives and questions examining structures, processes, and outcomes from multiple perspectives.

Conclusions:

• A practical and robust framework for systematic evaluation of APN roles is now available.
• The framework is adaptable for use in developed countries globally for evaluation and research.