Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Advanced Practice Nurse

Nationally Certified:
Yes (Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council)

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Yes

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Unknown

Practice Autonomously:
Uncertain

Contact:
Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council

Role

The initial role in Thailand is that of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) and in 2003 they had their first group of individuals certified (Sheer & Wong, 2008).

There are several roles of advanced practice nurses recognized in Thailand.  There are individuals who receive specialty training as registered nurses (i.e. trauma nurse, ostomy nurse) as well as “Nurse Practitioners.” Additionally, there are roles of designated as “Advanced Practice Nurses” of which the previously mentioned specialties (including Nurse Practitioners) are not included.  These roles are expanded further on that of the registered nurse based on further required education and expertise (Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council [TNMC], 2010).

While the role of the nurse in Thailand has various levels of practice, the TNMC regards all individuals registered to practice nursing as “practitioners in nursing.”  The role of such individuals includes: 1.) to provide education, advice, counseling, ans well as solving health problems; 2.) to act and assist individuals physically and mentally, including their environment, in order to solve problems of illness, alleviate symptoms, prevent dissemination of diseases and provide rehabilitation; 3.) to provide treatment, as mentioned in primary medical care and immunization; and 4.) to assist physicians to perform treatments (TNMC, 2010).

Additionally, the role of midwifery encompasses: 1.) to provide education, advice, counseling, as well as solving health problems; 2.) to act and assist pregnant women, post delivery women, and their newborns physically and mentally, in order to prevent complications during pregnancy, delivery, and post-delivery; 3.) to provide physical examinations, delivery of baby and family planning services; and 4.) to assist physicians to perform treatments.  Individuals can be registered to practice both nursing and midwifery by the Council of nursing (TNMC, 2010).

Education and Certification

APNs in Thailand are identified by a post-masters education (TNMC, 2010).  The term “Nurse Practitioner” is also applied to individuals in Thailand but reflect a post registered nurse certification requiring 4 months of specialty training.  APNs however have expanded roles based on further education (TNMC, 2010).

Specialties

Advanced practice nurses are recognized in various specialties, namely: Community Nurse Practitioner; Medical and Surgical Nurse; Gerentological Nurse; Pediatric Nurse; Maternal and Child Nurse; Advanced Midwifery Practice; Mental Health and Psychiatric Nurse; Nurse Anesthetist; Infection Control Nurse; and Community Nurse (TNMC, 2010).

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Sheer, B. & Wong, F.K. (2008).  The development of advanced nursing practice globally.  Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40(3),204-211.

Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council (2010).  Thailand Nursing and Midwifery Council.  Retrieved from: http://www.tnc.or.th/en/content/content-135.html