How do healthcare professionals and managers view the role of the advanced practice nurse?

BACKGROUND: Advanced practice nurses (APN) growth depends on the implementation and acceptance of APNs in each country. INTRODUCTION: Given the diversity of the different contexts and varying population health needs where APNs are developing, this study focuses on exploring the viewpoints of the multidisciplinary and management team who have worked with APNs in public hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with previously identified APNs, health professionals, and health managers. EVOHIPA, a valid and reliable scale, was used. The STROBE checklist was followed. FINDINGS: The results showed high levels of agreement among the 746 participants (predominantly physicians and nurses), with statements relating to the APN's contribution in enhancing care continuity and processes, resulting in safer and more patient-centered care. The results showed low levels of agreement with statements relating to legal support for the APN position, regulation, and practice scope. DISCUSSION: The study provides discussion elements and reflection to determine the axes on which it will be necessary to act to promote APNs and their conditions of service in the context of practice within hospital teams. CONCLUSION: The study highlights the differences in opinion on APN roles among health professionals and managers who have worked with APNs and allows exploring expectations about current changes in workflows and clinical activities among healthcare team members. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING AND HEALTH POLICY: Results highlight the importance of fostering a common understanding among healthcare teams to maximize the benefits of collaborative work and recognize the significant contributions of APNs within the multidisciplinary team. Health policy plays a crucial role in recognizing and promoting the contribution of APNs within hospital healthcare teams, acknowledging their autonomy and expertise in improving patient outcomes.

Propuesta de modelo para la enfermera de práctica avanzada / Proposal of a model for advanced practice nurses

La propuesta que se presenta es fruto, por un lado, de los resultados del proyecto “IPACAT22: Consenso sobre los aspectos clave del modelo de la práctica avanzada en Cataluña”, realizado con la participación de 24 enfermeras representantes de asociaciones científicas enfermeras o multidisciplinares de Cataluña. Por otro lado, es también fruto del apasionante, relevante y a veces difícil debate entre los miembros del equipo con diferentes trayectorias profesionales y distintos puntos de vista que enriquecen el objetivo común. Es oportuno presentar los resultados del debate, basados en el rigor, y los resultados de los proyectos de investigación por la mejora y el avance de la enfermera de práctica avanzada. Este debate también desempeña un rol importante en el entorno profesional para ejercer un liderazgo efectivo en las organizaciones y en el sistema de salud. Estamos convencidas de que este documento puede ser un punto de partida para configurar el modelo de la enfermera de práctica avanzada en nuestro contexto.(AU)

The proposal presented is the result, on one hand, of the outcomes of the Project “IPACAT22: Consensus on the key aspects of the model for advanced practice in Catalonia”, prepared with the participation of 24 nurses representing multidisciplinary or nursing scientific associations of Catalonia. On the other hand, it is also the result of the exciting, relevant, and sometimes difficult discussion among the team members with different professional careers and point of views which enhance the common objective. It is appropriate to present the outcomes of this discussion, based on rigour and results of the research projects for the improvement and progress of advanced practice nurses. This discussion also represents a major role in the professional setting, to conduct an effective leadership in organizations and the health system. We are convinced that this document can be a starting point to set up the model for the advanced practice nurse in our setting.(AU)

Advanced practice nurses: Analysis of their role from a multicentre cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Stronger healthcare models are increasingly sought to address new population needs, health workforce inefficiencies and nursing shortages. One strategy is to focus on employees' strengths to capitalize on their competencies and maximize their scope of practice. INTRODUCTION: Globally, there is an exponential demand for advanced practice nursing services. This study aimed to identify the roles and positions of nurses who align with APN defining criteria at all levels of care in Catalonia, Spain. METHODS: The first step of the study included the translation and validation to Catalan of the Advanced Practice Nurse Role Delineation Tool (IDREPA) and step 2 comprised a multicentre cross-sectional study, in which 126 healthcare centres participated: 1209 nurses were included in the study. The STROBE checklist was used to report this study. RESULTS: Transcultural equivalence and validation of the instrument showed a content validity index of 0.958 and the reliability of the questionnaire. The instrument identified 269 nurses who align with international APN defined criteria. They worked in specialized care, mental healthcare and primary and community care, especially in chronic conditions, ageing and end-of-life care. DISCUSSION: Most areas of Catalonia have access to nurses practicing at APN defining criteria. These nurses were developed as an optimal resource to respond to patient needs in the context of study. Both recognition and strategic implementation are necessary to apply their full competencies to solve healthcare problems. CONCLUSION: Understanding the supply of services delivered by nurses practicing at an advanced level and their scope of practice may lay the foundations for effective workforce planning in a dynamic context. Nurses who align with APN defining criteria are working mainly in large acute services without regulation and recognition. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Advanced practice nurses show the value of their role and activities in healthcare services. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH POLICY: Promoting the establishment of APN defining criteria that includes credentialing and a regulatory framework within international guidelines should be a priority to make an impact on healthcare policy.

Developing the Advanced Practice Nurse in Catalonia. / Construcción de la enfermera de práctica avanzada en Catalunya (España).

The development of advanced practice nurses (APN) has proved a challenge for nurses in countries such as the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia among others. It is only in recent years that the system has been considered in Catalonia and Spain as a way to develop new roles to bring effectiveness and efficiency to the health system. From the standpoint of training and implementation of the above-mentioned new nursing roles, the following article aims to conceptualise APN and its reference models, as well as to contextualise and reflect on APN in Catalonia in order to assimilate them into advanced practice.

Construcción de la enfermera de práctica avanzada en Catalunya (España) / A construção da Prática de Enfermagem Avançada da Catalunha (Espanha) / Developing the Advanced Practice Nurse in Catalonia

RESUMEN El desarrollo de la enfermera de práctica avanzada (EPA) ha supuesto un reto para las enfermeras en países como EE.UU., Canadá, Gran Bretaña y Australia, entre otros, y desde hace escasos años está siendo considerada en Catalunya y España como un sistema para desarrollar nuevos roles que aporten eficacia y eficiencia al sistema sanitario. El presente artículo pretende conceptualizar la EPA y los modelos de referencia así como contextualizar y reflexionar sobre la EPA en Catalunya, desde el punto de vista de formación y de la implantación de los denominados nuevos roles de enfermería, asimilándolos a la práctica avanzada.

RESUMO O desenvolvimento da prática de enfermagem avançada (PEA) constitui um desafio para enfermeiras de países como os Estados Unidos da América, do Canadá, Reino Unido e da Austrália. Sendo na Espanha e na Catalunha, desde alguns anos, um sistema que permite a formação de novas competências na enfermagem em prol da eficiência e eficácia do sistema sanitário. O presente artigo pretende definir a PEA e seus modelos de referência, da mesma forma que espera contextualizar e refletir em relação a PEA na Catalunha, enquanto processo de formação e inserção das novas competências e responsabilidades da prática de enfermagem avançada.

ABSTRACT The development of advanced practice nurses (APN) has proved a challenge for nurses in countries such as the USA, Canada, Great Britain, and Australia among others. It is only in recent years that the system has been considered in Catalonia and Spain as a way to develop new roles to bring effectiveness and efficiency to the health system. From the standpoint of training and implementation of the above-mentioned new nursing roles, the following article aims to conceptualise APN and its reference models, as well as to contextualise and reflect on APN in Catalonia in order to assimilate them into advanced practice.