摘要
Advanced practice nursing has emerged worldwide in response to the need for improved services and outcomes for specific priority groups,improved access to care,decreased wait times,and cost containment of health care[1].Advanced practice nursing(APN)is an umbrella term that encompasses various APN roles(based on country of origin)that share at their core direct care of patients and families[2,3].APN roles have expanded in numbers and scope of practice over the past several decades with APN roles being highly valued and an integral part of the health care system.Due to the benefits of APN in meeting the current and future health needs of patients,the concept of APN(and the components of the role)needs to be effectively identified in order to continue to ensure patient safety while expanding patient access to APN care.The International Council of Nurses(ICN)defines an APN role as a“registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base,complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice,the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice[4].”However,there is still no international agreement with respect to minimum educational preparation for APN,title protection for various APN roles,education,scope of practice,and accreditation system,and performance evaluation system[5-10].
