Educating the Georgian Community on the Value and Benefits of Advanced Practice Nursing

Advanced practice nurses are not currently recognized in Georgia, the country intersecting Eastern Europe and Western Asia. With a critical nursing shortage and the brain-drain of graduate nurses in Georgia seeking higher pay and more respect in other countries, it is an opportune time to examine the potential for advancing nursing practice through education and professional mentorship. The aim of the study was two-fold. The first goal was to educate the local community about the profession of advanced practice nurse anesthesia and the benefits of advanced practice nursing in Georgia through a certified registered nurse anesthetist-led education session designed for a cohort of undergraduate biochemistry students. Second, a qualitative analysis identified the current state of nursing practice and directed the next steps toward nursing advancement, regulation, professionalism, access to quality care, and globally acceptable standards of practice. An education session held at San Diego State University Tbilisi, although not statistically significant, was successful in improving public knowledge. Qualitatively, the study established extreme enthusiasm for developing a nurse anesthesia program, licensure, regulation, standards of care, continuing education, and quality. In a country eager to advance, certified registered nurse anesthetists have the distinct opportunity of supporting Georgia's movement toward westernized healthcare.