Capability as a concept in advanced practice nursing and education: a scoping review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Education
• Professional Development

Background:

• Advanced practice nursing (APN) roles are expanding globally.
• Capability is proposed as a key attribute for APN in complex environments.
• Capability encompasses learning, integrating knowledge, skills, judgment, and experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the literature on the concept of capability in advanced practice nursing education and practice.
• To achieve greater clarity on the concept and its application in APN.
• To understand how capability is defined and utilized in global APN contexts.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of global APN literature.
• Inclusion of qualitative, quantitative, mixed-methods studies, reviews, and gray literature.
• Searched 18 electronic databases and relevant organizational websites; English language sources from 1975 onwards.

Main Results:

• Thirty-five sources (2000-2023) from Australia, UK, US were included.
• Capability is a distinguishing characteristic of APN, moving beyond competency.
• Capability frameworks guide APN education (nurse practitioner, doctorates) and practice.

Conclusions:

• Capability serves as a concept and framework for APN in complex, flexible environments.
• Capability frameworks are applied holistically and specifically in APN education and practice.
• Teaching capability emphasizes flexibility, student-directed learning, and adaptive pathways.