The Role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in Austria: Development of a conceptual framework

Projekt: Forschung

Projektdetails

Beschreibung

Internationally, the development of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) has a long tradition. APN is characterized by an expanded professional knowledge base in specific nursing care, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies acquired in a master's degree program. APN roles and core competencies are defined in a conceptual framework required to guide health care professionals, but currently there is no international consensus on the conceptual definition of APN and their roles. In Austria, training of the first APNs began about five years ago, but an official professional title, a professional recognition as well as specific fields of action in nursing practice are missing. For a successful implementation of APN, however, role clarity seems to be essential.
The project’s overall goal is to develop an ‘Austrian APN competency framework’. Based on research and analysis of the current literature, an explorative, qualitative study will be conducted and focus group discussions will be performed with APNs in Austria. The understanding of what constitutes the role of an APN and how it should be implemented varies from country to country, and in some cases within countries. Specific roles, core competencies, and learning outcomes, which can act as a guide for health care professionals, managers, and politicians should be defined in a conceptual framework. A framework, as the general conceptual basis of a study, allows a broader meaning and usefulness of the content. The findings will provide insights into international research as well as national APN roles and competencies. Based on these results, a first conceptual framework for APN in the Austrian health care system will be developed for further consultation with experts.
StatusAbgeschlossen
Tatsächlicher Beginn/ -es Ende1/01/211/01/22