– Interpret the results of multiple different assessments and investigations in order to make a diagnosis, and plan and deliver care. – Undertake a comprehensive and sophisticated physical and/or mental health assessment of patients with complex multiple healthcare needs and/or in crisis. The advanced nurse practitioner is but one model and is sometimes described as a hybrid role because, although it holds true to the underpinning philosophy of nursing practice, it also encompasses a skillset traditionally considered to be that of doctors.Įxamples of these skills and competencies include, but are not limited to, the ability to:
There are multiple definitions and models of advanced practice and the Department of Health and the Nursing Midwifery Council have both published statements regarding the underpinning knowledge and competencies required for advanced practice. Indeed this has led to a growing acknowledgement that nursing may be about to make another step change, in that many of the skills and competencies currently considered to be within the realm of advanced practice are becoming essential elements of contemporary everyday nursing practice, whether that be in a hospital setting or in the community.
This ‘standard’ scope of practice has developed over the years in response to both the changing health and social care needs of the population and models of healthcare delivery. This is because it is dependent on what is understood to be the normal scope of practice of a nurse at the point of registration. The concept of what is advanced practice has understandably changed over time, and will continue to do so. The importance of advanced nurse practitioners Nurses have always responded to the healthcare needs of their patients and clients and developed their roles accordingly and the advanced nurse practitioner is no different. The focus of national policy on finding innovative solutions to long standing problems, cost effectiveness, assessing the effectiveness of health interventions on patient outcomes, health protection and prevention, quality improvement and cutting costs by improving safety is therefore unsurprising. These challenges include: an aging population, many of whom feel isolated an increase in the incidence and prevalence of long term conditions, growing public demand, an increase in the availability of new health technologies and treatments, inefficient health systems and rising health costs all at a time of financial austerity.
The role of the nurse in the UK continues to develop in response to the changing healthcare needs of our population and the challenges that these present.
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