An analysis of professional, specialist and advanced nursing practice in critical care

A recent document, The Future of Professional Practice--Standards for Education and Practice Following Registration (United Kingdom Central Council (UKCC) 1994a), has laid down a structure for clinical practice, providing a pathway for nurses to progress from the professional level, through to specialist and advanced levels, according to clinical expertise and educational preparation. The purpose of this article thus sets out to analyse critically these distinct levels in relation to critical care nursing. In particular, the paper discusses the development of advanced practice and how the proposed levels may be integrated within critical care.