Trans-Atlantic collaboration to establish a nurse practitioner-program in Switzerland

This study was conducted to design, develop and implement an adult gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP)-track in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)- program at a Swiss university of applied science (Swiss UAS) with a minimum of 500 practice hours.

Healthcare delivery models integrating advanced practice nurses (APN) are increasingly important due to demographic needs, public health challenges, and shortage of healthcare professionals. In countries such as Switzerland, nursing has traditionally had a late integration of Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and MSN have been predominantly taught without practice hours. To meet the changing healthcare needs of the population, the curriculum of an MSN-program of a Swiss UAS was revised, an AGNP-track was designed and developed and international standards, adapted to the Swiss context, were integrated.

Curriculum development research was executed to revise the Swiss MSNprogram to integrate an AGNP-track, while incorporating international standards.

Based on an extensive review of the current Swiss MSN-curriculum and the identification of needs of the Swiss, a blueprint for an AGNP-track was developed. We adapted and integrated educational practice standards from the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and New Zealand. For implementation, a working transnational transatlantic collaboration was established comprising regular meetings between the collaborating American universities. New curricular contents were developed collaboratively using the foundation of an American curricular model for AGNP, and adapting it to the Swiss context.

At the outset of this process, the Swiss UAS established a working relationship with a nurse consultant from American Universities with well-established nurse practitioner education. We developed an AGNP-program blueprint, and submitted it for review to national and international experts. Our team had trust and a collaborative spirit, which were essential for the success of the future AGNP-program. In addition, support from Swiss practice areas and political goodwill increased the momentum of the implementation of new AGNP MSN-track at a Swiss UAS.

The AGNP-track at a Swiss UAS used an American curriculum as a foundation. However, national and international standards were integrated to adapt it to the Swiss context and culture.