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

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Advanced Practice Nursing
• Curriculum Development

Background:

• Increasing demand for advanced practice nurses (APN) due to demographic shifts and healthcare professional shortages.
• Switzerland's nursing education landscape historically lacked integrated practice hours in Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) programs.
• Need for curriculum revision to meet evolving healthcare demands and integrate international standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, develop, and implement an Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) track within an existing MSN program at a Swiss university of applied science (Swiss UAS).
• To ensure the AGNP track meets a minimum of 500 practice hours.
• To adapt international best practices in APN education to the Swiss healthcare context.

Main Methods:

• Curriculum development research was employed to revise the Swiss MSN program.
• An AGNP track blueprint was created based on a review of the Swiss MSN curriculum and identified needs.
• International educational practice standards (USA, UK, Ireland, New Zealand) were adapted and integrated, supported by a transatlantic collaboration with American universities.

Main Results:

• A collaborative relationship was established with American universities renowned for nurse practitioner education.
• An AGNP program blueprint was developed and reviewed by national and international experts.
• Successful implementation was facilitated by strong collaborative relationships, support from Swiss practice areas, and political goodwill.

Conclusions:

• The developed AGNP track utilized an American curriculum as a foundational model.
• National and international standards were successfully integrated to tailor the curriculum to the specific Swiss context and culture.
• The initiative enhances advanced practice nursing education in Switzerland, preparing graduates to meet complex healthcare needs.