A comparative review of advanced practice nurse programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries

Virpi Sulosaari; Aurelija Blaževičienė; Helga Bragadóttir; Josefin Bäckström; Johanna Heikkilä; Ragnhild Hellesø; Hanna Hopia; Margit Lenk-Adusoo; Annelise Norlyk; Reet Urban

doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105847

A comparative review of advanced practice nurse programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries

Virpi Sulosaari^*, Aurelija Blaževičienė, Helga Bragadóttir, Josefin Bäckström, Johanna Heikkilä, Ragnhild Hellesø, Hanna Hopia, Margit Lenk-Adusoo, Annelise Norlyk, Reet Urban

^*Corresponding author for this work

Department of Public Health - Department of Science in Nursing

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaper › Review › Research › peer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) programs are career-development opportunities significant for nursing workforce retention as well as for the quality of patient care. Inconsistency regarding policy, education, titles, scope of practice, skills and competencies have been identified as major challenges in developing advanced practice nursing in Europe. APN roles and education are under development in the Nordic and Baltic countries. However, there is a lack of information on the current state in this region.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to compare APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries to identify their commonalities and differences.

DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive comparative study reviewed seven master's level APN programs in six Nordic and Baltic countries. Data was extracted from the programme by the expert teachers or leaders of the programmes (N = 9). Competencies recommended in the European Tuning Project (ETP) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) guidelines on advanced practice nursing, were used to evaluate the programs. The same informants provided additional information on the current state of APN education in the country.

RESULTS: The admission requirements were similar in the six countries but in two, clinical work experience is an entry requirement. There are two commonly identified APN roles: clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP). Most of the programs included all the EPT and ICN competencies. The main differences regarded prescribing competencies. All programmes included clinical training, but the methods on how it is implemented varies.

CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with the recommendations of the European Tuning Project and ICN guidelines. This is an important message for administrators, policymakers, and politicians, as well as the nursing community, on providing opportunities for APNs to practice to their full potential within each country as well as cross-country.

TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: "APN programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with international guidelines. Special attention is needed in future on the clinical training of APNs".

Original language	English
Article number	105847
Journal	Nurse Education Today
Volume	127
Number of pages	7
ISSN	0260-6917
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105847
Publication status	Published - Aug 2023

Keywords

Advanced practice nurse (APN)
Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)
Competence
Nordic and Baltic countries
Nurse practitioner (NP)
Postgraduate nursing education
Clinical Competence
Europe
Humans
Nurse Practitioners/education
Advanced Practice Nursing
Educational Status

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Cite this

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title = "A comparative review of advanced practice nurse programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries",

abstract = "BACKGROUND: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) programs are career-development opportunities significant for nursing workforce retention as well as for the quality of patient care. Inconsistency regarding policy, education, titles, scope of practice, skills and competencies have been identified as major challenges in developing advanced practice nursing in Europe. APN roles and education are under development in the Nordic and Baltic countries. However, there is a lack of information on the current state in this region.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to compare APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries to identify their commonalities and differences.DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive comparative study reviewed seven master's level APN programs in six Nordic and Baltic countries. Data was extracted from the programme by the expert teachers or leaders of the programmes (N = 9). Competencies recommended in the European Tuning Project (ETP) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) guidelines on advanced practice nursing, were used to evaluate the programs. The same informants provided additional information on the current state of APN education in the country.RESULTS: The admission requirements were similar in the six countries but in two, clinical work experience is an entry requirement. There are two commonly identified APN roles: clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP). Most of the programs included all the EPT and ICN competencies. The main differences regarded prescribing competencies. All programmes included clinical training, but the methods on how it is implemented varies.CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with the recommendations of the European Tuning Project and ICN guidelines. This is an important message for administrators, policymakers, and politicians, as well as the nursing community, on providing opportunities for APNs to practice to their full potential within each country as well as cross-country.TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: {"}APN programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with international guidelines. Special attention is needed in future on the clinical training of APNs{"}.",

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author = "Virpi Sulosaari and Aurelija Bla{\v z}evi{\v c}ienė and Helga Bragad{\'o}ttir and Josefin B{\"a}ckstr{\"o}m and Johanna Heikkil{\"a} and Ragnhild Helles{\o} and Hanna Hopia and Margit Lenk-Adusoo and Annelise Norlyk and Reet Urban",

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doi = "10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105847",

language = "English",

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journal = "Nurse Education Today",

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T1 - A comparative review of advanced practice nurse programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries

AU - Sulosaari, Virpi

AU - Blaževičienė, Aurelija

AU - Bragadóttir, Helga

AU - Bäckström, Josefin

AU - Heikkilä, Johanna

AU - Hellesø, Ragnhild

AU - Hopia, Hanna

AU - Lenk-Adusoo, Margit

AU - Norlyk, Annelise

AU - Urban, Reet

PY - 2023/8

Y1 - 2023/8

N2 - BACKGROUND: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) programs are career-development opportunities significant for nursing workforce retention as well as for the quality of patient care. Inconsistency regarding policy, education, titles, scope of practice, skills and competencies have been identified as major challenges in developing advanced practice nursing in Europe. APN roles and education are under development in the Nordic and Baltic countries. However, there is a lack of information on the current state in this region.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to compare APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries to identify their commonalities and differences.DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive comparative study reviewed seven master's level APN programs in six Nordic and Baltic countries. Data was extracted from the programme by the expert teachers or leaders of the programmes (N = 9). Competencies recommended in the European Tuning Project (ETP) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) guidelines on advanced practice nursing, were used to evaluate the programs. The same informants provided additional information on the current state of APN education in the country.RESULTS: The admission requirements were similar in the six countries but in two, clinical work experience is an entry requirement. There are two commonly identified APN roles: clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP). Most of the programs included all the EPT and ICN competencies. The main differences regarded prescribing competencies. All programmes included clinical training, but the methods on how it is implemented varies.CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with the recommendations of the European Tuning Project and ICN guidelines. This is an important message for administrators, policymakers, and politicians, as well as the nursing community, on providing opportunities for APNs to practice to their full potential within each country as well as cross-country.TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: "APN programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with international guidelines. Special attention is needed in future on the clinical training of APNs".

AB - BACKGROUND: Advanced practice nurses (APNs) programs are career-development opportunities significant for nursing workforce retention as well as for the quality of patient care. Inconsistency regarding policy, education, titles, scope of practice, skills and competencies have been identified as major challenges in developing advanced practice nursing in Europe. APN roles and education are under development in the Nordic and Baltic countries. However, there is a lack of information on the current state in this region.OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this paper is to compare APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries to identify their commonalities and differences.DESIGN AND METHODS: This descriptive comparative study reviewed seven master's level APN programs in six Nordic and Baltic countries. Data was extracted from the programme by the expert teachers or leaders of the programmes (N = 9). Competencies recommended in the European Tuning Project (ETP) and the International Council of Nurses (ICN) guidelines on advanced practice nursing, were used to evaluate the programs. The same informants provided additional information on the current state of APN education in the country.RESULTS: The admission requirements were similar in the six countries but in two, clinical work experience is an entry requirement. There are two commonly identified APN roles: clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP). Most of the programs included all the EPT and ICN competencies. The main differences regarded prescribing competencies. All programmes included clinical training, but the methods on how it is implemented varies.CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that APN programs in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with the recommendations of the European Tuning Project and ICN guidelines. This is an important message for administrators, policymakers, and politicians, as well as the nursing community, on providing opportunities for APNs to practice to their full potential within each country as well as cross-country.TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: "APN programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries correspond with international guidelines. Special attention is needed in future on the clinical training of APNs".

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KW - Clinical nurse specialist (CNS)

KW - Competence

KW - Nordic and Baltic countries

KW - Nurse practitioner (NP)

KW - Postgraduate nursing education

KW - Clinical Competence

KW - Europe

KW - Humans

KW - Nurse Practitioners/education

KW - Advanced Practice Nursing

KW - Educational Status

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SN - 0260-6917

VL - 127

JO - Nurse Education Today

JF - Nurse Education Today

M1 - 105847

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A comparative review of advanced practice nurse programmes in the Nordic and Baltic countries

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