Exploring Factors Influencing Advanced Practice Nurse Implementation: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study in Seven...

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Management
• Health Policy

Background:

• Advanced practice nursing (APN) roles are evolving across Europe.
• Understanding implementation factors is crucial for successful integration of APNs into healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors influencing the implementation of advanced practice nursing roles in seven European countries.
• To identify facilitators and barriers from the perspective of advanced practice nurses.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional survey conducted from September 2021 to December 2022.
• Involved 491 advanced practice nurses from Belgium, Finland, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, and the Netherlands.
• Utilized a self-administered questionnaire covering patient care, practice, policy, education, and workforce factors; analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-squared tests.

Main Results:

• Multifaceted factors influence APN role implementation across countries.
• Facilitators were reported in the Netherlands, Ireland, and Belgium; barriers or lack of knowledge in Finland, Iceland, and Germany.
• Key challenges include role ambiguity, interprofessional collaboration gaps, limited managerial support, and professional isolation.

Conclusions:

• Robust organizational support, interprofessional collaboration, and clear role definitions are essential for APN integration.
• Networking and mentorship are crucial for addressing professional isolation and sustaining the APN workforce.
• Findings can inform healthcare managers and policymakers on key factors for successful APN role integration.