Educating advanced practice nurses to respond to the HIV pandemic

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Master's degree nursing programs are crucial for developing advanced practice nurses.
• The Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic requires specialized nursing expertise.
• Existing nursing curricula may not adequately address the complexities of HIV/AIDS care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the structure and objectives of an HIV/AIDS subspecialty within a Master's degree nursing program.
• To highlight how the subspecialty integrates didactic learning with clinical experience.
• To prepare nursing leaders and expert clinicians in HIV/AIDS care.

Main Methods:

• The HIV/AIDS subspecialty is integrated into six existing Master's nursing specialties.
• Curriculum is guided by overall graduate program objectives and a prevention framework (primary, secondary, tertiary).
• Clinical component involves advanced practicum with master's-prepared nurses specializing in HIV/AIDS.

Main Results:

• The subspecialty provides comprehensive training for nurses in HIV/AIDS.
• Students gain leadership and clinical expertise through structured didactic and practical experiences.
• Graduates are prepared to manage complex patient needs in HIV/AIDS care.

Conclusions:

• The HIV/AIDS subspecialty effectively prepares advanced practice nurses for leadership and expert clinical roles.
• This specialized training is vital for addressing the ongoing needs of individuals with HIV/AIDS.
• The program's model can inform other institutions seeking to enhance HIV/AIDS nursing education.