Tag Archives: advanced nurse practitioner

Advanced Practice Nursing in Denmark

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Specialist Nurse

Nationally Certified:
Uncertain

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Yes

Treatment Authority:
Uncertain

Prescribing Authority:
Uncertain

Practice Autonomously:
No

Contact:
Danish Health and Medicines Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen)
Danish Nurses’ Organiation [DNO] (Dansk Sygeplejeråd)

Role

The role of Advanced Practice Nurses in Denmark has been in development.  Common interests as a part of the European Union have led Denmark to explore the potential use of further Advanced Practice Nursing (Danish Nurses’ Organization, 2008; Pill, Kolbæk, Ottman, & Rasmussen, 2012).  This development however has not been perceived as a substitution for medical doctors (Pill et al., 2012).  Meanwhile, in Denmark there has been an abundance of nurses in the country, leading the European Union and amounting to more than 15 per 1,000 individuals in the population, and with a ration of 4 nurses for every doctor in country (OECD Library, 2012).

Several nursing specialties have been offered for direct practice registered nurses, anesthesia nursing, psychiatric nursing, intensive care nursing, and infection control nursing (European Commission [EC], 2000).  Each allows for more skillful knowledge and potential advanced scope of practice in their respective categories.  Additionally, three other specializations exist for nursing, nursing management and leadership, nursing education, and public health nursing (EC, 2000).  For all specialties except the public health nursing, there is no protected title provided by the national ministry of health (European Commission, 2000).  For public health nursing, the title “health visitor” has been reserved (EC, 2000).

Education and Certification

Education for entry level nursing in Denmark is at the Bachelor’s level.  Specialties are provided by and maintained at the county or regional level (EC, 2000).  Once received permissions by a specific region to practice as a specialty nurse, the Danish nurse may then practice within that specialty in any of the regions of the country, according to the regions’ regulations (EC, 2000).  Each of the programs vary in the length of their post-baccalaureate program as follows (with their received title/degree in parenthesis):

  • Anesthesia Nursing (Proof of specialty training) – 1 1/2 years
  • Psychiatry Nursing (Proof of specialty training) – 1 year
  • Infection Control Nursing (Proof of specialty training) – 3 months
  • Intensive Care Nursing (Proof of specialty training) – 1 1/2 years
  • Public Health Nursing (Nursing Diploma) – 10 months
  • Nursing Management and Leadership (Nursing Diploma) – 10 months
  • Nursing Education (Nursing Diploma) – 10 months

Masters level education is available for nurses interested in advancing their career particularly in nursing education, public health, and nursing management and leadership requiring 2 years and 6 months of training (Aarhus School of Advanced Nursing Studies, 2014; EC, 2000).

Foreign citizens are allowed to apply and participate in the Masters level studies provided they are able to pass a Danish proficiency exam and have received an acceptable Bachelors degree (UASANS, 2014).  Individuals interested in working within one of the specialized nursing categories would be required to be evaluated by the regional councils overseeing each (EC, 2000).  As an international working within Denmark, their specialty-specific permissions would then only be valid for the region from which they received permission (EC, 2000).

Specialties

While an old reference, four areas of specialty have been identified: anesthesia nursing, intensive care nursing, psychiatric nursing, and infection control nursing (EC, 2000).  For each of the specialties in intensive care, anesthesia, and psychiatry training is organized at the county level and therefore varies within the country (EC, 2000).

Beyond that of direct practice nursing specialties, the other three nursing specialties of public health nursing, psychiatric nursing, and nursing management and leadership has been offered at the University of Aarhus School of Advanced Nursing Studies (UASANS, 2014).  This school also offers a Master’s Degree for advancement of a nursing career.  This degree is suggested to offer career advancement primarily related to the advancement of the latter three non-direct practice specialties (EC, 2000).  The course curriculum allows the student to adapt their education in whichever career path interests them the most (UASANS, 2014).

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References:
Danish Nurses’ Organization (2008).  Advanced nurse practitioners – Improved health care to the chronically ill [Electronic document].  Retrieved from: http://www.dsr.dk/Artikler/Documents/Advanced_Nurse_Practitioners.pdf

European Commission (2000).  Nursing in Denmark [Electronic Document].  Retrieved from: http://ec.europa.eu/internal_market/qualifications/docs/nurses/2000-study/nurses_denmark_en.pdf

OECD Library (2012).  Health At A Glance: Europe 2012.  Retrieved from: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/9789264183896-en/03/03/index.html?itemId=/content/chapter/9789264183896-30-en

Pill, K., Kolbæk, R., Ottman, G., & Rasmussen, B. (2012).  The impact of the expanded nursing practice on professional identify in Denmark. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 26(6),329–335.

University of Aarhus School of Advanced Nursing Studies [UASANS] (2014).  Masters degree in nursing – Introduction.  Retrieved from: http://kandidat.au.dk/en/nursing/

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Advanced Practice Nursing in Ireland

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioners (RANPs)

Nationally Certified:
Yes

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Yes (with acceptance of an employment placement offer)

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Yes

Practice Autonomously:
Tes

Contact:
An Bord Altranais Nursing Board
Irish Association of Advanced Nurse and Midwife Practitioners

Role

The role of the Registered Advanced Nurse Practitioner (RANP) in Ireland encompasses an application of specialty-focused knowledge and skills to improve quality of care.  This role includes (Delamaire & Lafortune, 2010):

  1. assessment, planning, delivery and evaluation of care,
  2. participation in and dissemination of nursing research and audit,
  3. working closely with medical and paramedical colleagues, including making alterations in prescribed clinical options along agreed protocol guidelines,
  4. providing consultancy in education and clinical practice to nursing colleagues and wider interdisciplinary team,
  5. prescribing medication and ionizing radiation (with additional education, training and education) [Prescriptive authority was initially passed through legislation in 2007 (HAI Europe, 2012).]

Further, there are four driving concepts that guide RANPs (Lehwaldt, Perosevic, Kingston, Lodge, & Kearns, 2014)

Autonomy in Clinical Practice
Within a collaboratively agreed scope of practice, RANPs are accountable and responsible for advanced decision making in the management of patient care.  They provide expert clinical diagnosis and treatment according to their agreed scope of practice (Lehwaldt et al., 2014).

Expert Practice
They provide both practical and theoretical expertise on nursing practice and the role of advanced nursing practice.  This is provided through a minimum of a Masters degree education with an area of specialization (Lehwaldt et al., 2014).

Professional and Clinical Leadership
As leaders within their profession, each RANP provides leadership and management skills appropriate to seek out and improve patient care and management in new and innovative ways.  This may be at the local, community, or national level (Lehwaldt et al., 2014).

Research
Including both initiation and implementation, each RANP provides a level of expertise to implement evidence based practice within their workplace.  This also includes expertise in providing methods of monitoring and evaluation (Lehwaldt et al., 2014).

Education and Certification

The advanced nurse practitioner in Ireland requires a minimum of a master level education (Delamaire & Lafontaine, 2010; Sheer & Wong, 2008).  There are current programs to meet this educational need in Ireland today (Storeur & Leonard, 2010).

Specialties

At this time there are Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Advanced Midwife Practitioner roles.  Currently there are various Advanced Nurse Practitioners working in the following areas (Lehwaldt, Perosevic, Kingston, Lodge, & Kearns, 2014):

  • Acute Adult Care
  • Psychiatric Care
  • Children’s Care
  • Public Health Care
  • Midwifery
  • Intellectual Disability Care

Advanced Nurse Practitioners were also evaluated in the Emergency Department (Thompson & Meskell, 2012).

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References:
An Bord Altranais Nursing Board (n.d.)  Advanced nurse practitioners and advanced midwife practitioners.  Retrieved from: http://www.nursingboard.ie/en/news-article.aspx?article=79557603-f337-4982-9465-bcf0bb9c18ae

Delamaire, M. & Lafortune, G. (2010). Nurses in advanced roles: A description and evaluation of experiences in 12 developed countries.  OECD Health Working Papers, 54, OECD Publishing.http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5kmbrcfms5g7-en

HAI Europe (2012). The next chapter in promotion of healthcare professionals: Nurse prescribers [fact sheet]. Retrieved from: http://haieurope.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/27-July-2011-HAI-Europe-Nurse-Prescribers-Factsheet.pdf

Lehwaldt, D., Perosevic, M., Kingston, M., Lodge, E., & Kearns, G. (2014).  Featured Countries: Ireland.  INP/APN Network Bulletin, 21(2). Retrieved from: http://international.aanp.org/pdf/May14.pdf

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

Stordeur, S. & Leonard, C. (2010).  Challenges in physician supply planning: The case of Belgium.  Human Resources for Health, 8(28),1-11.  doi:10.1186/1478-4491-8-28

Thompson, W. & Meskell, P. (2012).  Evaluation of an advanced nurse practitioner (emergency care).  Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 8(3), 200-205.  Retrieved from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/760656

[First Published: 15 August 2013; Updated: 29 June 2014]

Advanced Practice Nursing in France

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
In development

Title:
In development

Nationally Certified:
No

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Uncertain

Treatment Authority:
Uncertain

Prescribing Authority:
Uncertain

Practice Autonomously:
Uncertain

Contact:
French Advanced Practice Nursing Network (REPASI)
School of Public Health, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique, Paris [EHESP]
Université de Versailles, St-Quentin-en-Yvelines [UVSQY]

Role

Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in France has recently begun with the recent introduction in 2010 of graduate level education in the country (Bonnel, 2014).  The greatest motivator of developing the role of advanced practice nursing in France is to increase the access of the public to specialists, by increasing the number of specialists available and at a more affordable rate for an impending physician shortage (Bonnel, 2013; SNPI, 2013).  The goal of the APN role in France is to provide an “intermediary” professional to meet the medical needs within the country (Joel, 2013).  Based on the current education that is promoting this role, individuals are educated to (UVSQY, 2013):

  • Provide evaluation of patients with complex diseases
  • Diagnosis of health conditions
  • Provide disease specific treatments
  • Supervise collaboration with other health professionals
  • Develop and apply research to improve health care and outcomes
  • Develop educational methods to meet the needs of health care

While the country has been developing this role for several years, the greatest difficulties in establishing an APN role in France is that of agreement of what that role is to be and how the role will be solidified in the country (Joel, 2013).  At this time however, there is no protected title and educational programs are not consistent with their teachings according to a standard (Joel, 2013).  Since the role is in development, it is uncertain to what type of advance practice nursing each professional will work at resembling the nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or case management role (Bonnel, 2014).

Meanwhile, current momentum based on graduate level education has developed a group of Advanced Practice Educated nurses who are developing the foundation of their role in France.  According to Bonnel (2014), the French advanced practice nurses have initiated a nursing organization, the French Advanced Practice Nursing Network (REPASI) in collaboration with the current French nursing organization (Anfiide, 2014, February 24).

Education and Certification

Education for Advanced Practice Nurses in France has been minimally at the master level since 2010 at the School of Public Health, Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique, Paris (Bonnel, 2014; Bellini & Cusson, 2012).   This program offers both master and doctoral degrees (Bellini & Cusson, 2012).  Since the beginning of graduate nursing education in France, a second program has also developed by the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines (SNPI, 2013).

Specialties

Education for several specialties are offered for Advanced Practice Nurses in France (Bonnel, 2014; EHESP, 2013; SNPI, 2013):

  • Oncology
  • Gerontology
  • Psychiatric and Mental Health
  • Pain and Palliative Care
  • Chronic Illness

Have information to add to this page?

References:
Anfiide (2014, February 24).  Press release on the creation of the French Advanced Practice Nursing Network.  Retrieved from: file:///Users/administrator/Documents/Nurse%20Practitioner/Articles/International%20Nurse%20Practitioners/France/press_release_repasi_france.pdf

Bellini, S. & Cusson, R.M. (2012).  The doctor of nursing practice for entry into advanced practice.  Medscape.  Retrieved from: http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/760749_7

Bonnel, G. (2013).  Evolvement of French advanced practice nurses.  Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (online publication).  doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12061

Bonnel, G. (2014, June).  An American NP’s involvement in the French APN movement: Galadriel Bonnel.  AANP Members Abroad.  Retrieved from: http://www.aanp.org/international/aanp-members-abroad

Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sante Publique [EHESP] (2013).  Masters in clinical nursing sciences [Google translated version].  Retrieved from: http://www.ehesp.fr/formation/formations-diplomantes/master-sciences-cliniques-infirmieres/

Joel, L.A. (2013).  Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential of Role Development.  F.A. Davis.  Retrieved from: http://books.google.com

Syndicat National des Professionnels Infirmiers [SNPI] (2013, October 13).  Master in clinical nursing: Foreign experience [Google translated version].  Retrieved from: http://www.syndicat-infirmier.com/Master-en-sciences-cliniques.html

Université de Versailles, St-Quentin-en-Yvelines [UVSQY] (2013).  Clinical sciences master in nursing.  Retrieved from: http://www.uvsq.fr/master-1-sciences-cliniques-en-soins-infirmiers-197753.kjsp?RH=FORM_5

[First Published: 2013, October 29; Updated: 2014 June 29]

Advanced Practice Nursing in Hong Kong

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Titles:
Nurse Specialist
Advanced Practice Nurse

Nationally Certified:
Yes

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Uncertain

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Uncertain

Practice Autonomously:
 Varies

Contact:
The Provisional Hong Kong Academy of Nursing Limited (PHKAN)
Hong Kong Society for Nursing Education Limited
Nursing Council of Hong Kong

Role

Advanced Practice Nurses began as Nurse Specialists in Hong Kong in 1994 (Sheer & Wong, 2008).  This role was primarily created to allow for career development for nurses who had significant expertise in a specific specialty.  In the Hong Kong health system, the Hospital Authority, the national entity responsible for health care in Hong Kong, utilizes Nurse Specialists frequently as consultants in the inpatient hospital system (Chan, Thompson, & Wong, 2006).  These individuals often carry their own patient load, but may also see patients on other wards that have specialty needs.  The roles of these specialists within the hospital systems vary according to hospital and specialty (Chan, Thompson, & Wong, 2006). The role of Nurse Specialist on an outpatient basis is in nurse-led clinics.  This effort was created by the Hospital Authority to help manage individuals on an outpatient basis.

Similarly to several parts of Asia, Hong Kong’s health system does not have a significant entity of primary health care, and individuals will usually first be seen for a significant ailment in the emergency department.  Once diagnosed with some condition and stabilized to no longer need inpatient treatments, they will then be referred to see a specialty clinic on an outpatient basis.  Due to the lack of such clinics, the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong developed the concept of nurse-led clinics with specialty nurses providing care and management to individuals with that ailment (Chan, Thompson, & Wong, 2006).  For example, for an individual with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), an individual would go to a COPD clinic.

Since inception, these nurse-led clinics, run by Nurse Specialists, have been continuing to expand and have demonstrated good improvement to healthcare in Hong Kong today (Shiu, Lee, & Chau, 2012).  The nurses in these clinics can manage up to 90% of patients for outpatient disease-specific care and also take a more holistic approach and rarely prescribe medications (Wong, 2002).  Most often the nurses in these clinics will practice either independent or supervised adjustments of medications and initiating diagnostics or treatments according to protocols (Wong & Chung, 2006).  In some circumstances however, the CNS/NSs will prescribe medication, as nicotine patches for smoking cessation for COPD patients (Wong, 2010). An additional role developed in 2002 was the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).  This title was designated for individuals who practice in a more promoted position based on nurses being very experienced (Chan, Thompson, & Wong, 2006).  This role most similarly reflects that of the Clinical Nurse Specialist in other nations, and have significant expertise and experience.  Much of the role of APN development in Hong Kong has been in inpatient settings and includes advanced clinical assessment, education, research, and consultation with physicians (Sheer & Wong, 2008).

Another role in development is that of the Nurse Practitioner.  This role is in development today, and a potential additional position to be incorporated in the increasing health care needs in Hong Kong.

In general, the roles of advanced practice nurses in Hong Kong have been developing greater acceptance, greatly due to improved perceptions of the increase in health care quality and safety (Christiansen, Vernon, & Jinks, 2013).  Meanwhile, the greatest perceived challenge of the advancement of APNs in Hong Kong is that of other health care workers’ acceptance of the position (Christiansen, Vernon, & Jinks, 2013).  Another considerable factor is that of ‘brain-drain’ leading to a now 10-year shortage of nursing in Hong Kong (Lee, 2014).  Low financial compensation seems to be a valid concern reducing the number of nurses desiring to stay within the country and therefore able to seek career advancement.

Education and Certification

The role of the Advanced Practice Nurse or Nurse Specialist requires a minimum education of a masters degree (Sheer & Wong, 2008).  To be a Nurse Practitioner in Hong Kong, one would be required to have a master degree with a focus on clinical experience (Loke, 2004). Most recently, desire to standardize clinical care and preparation, there have been efforts to establish accreditation and registration for Nurse Specialists in Hong Kong.  One such effort is being a fellow of the Provisional Hong Kong  Academy of Nursing Limited (2012) and another the College of Nursing, Hong Kong (n.d.).  Such organizations like these have been striving to create standardized care and registration for individuals working in the capacity as a Nurse Specialist (Sheer & Wong, 2008).

Specialties

Various roles associated with the Nurse Specialist include (Chan, 2012; Schober & Affara, 2006):

  • Advanced Medical Nursing
  • Advanced Pediatric Nursing
  • Advanced Surgical Nursing
  • Anesthetic and Recovery Nursing
  • Breast Care
  • Cardiac Care Nursing
  • Cardiac Surgical Nursing
  • Community Nursing
  • Community Psychiatric Nursing
  • Continence Nursing
  • Diabetes Nursing
  • Emergency Nursing
  • Gerentological Nursing
  • HIV/AIDS Nursing
  • Intensive Care Nursing
  • Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
  • Orthopedics & Traumatology Nursing
  • Pediatric Intensive Care Nursing
  • Peri-operative Nursing
  • Primary Health Care Nursing
  • Psychiatric Rehabilitation Nursing
  • Rehabilitation Nursing
  • Renal Nursing
  • Respiratory Nursing
  • Rheumatology Nursing
  • Substance Abuse Nursing
  • Transplant Nursing
  • Wound/ostomy Nursing
  • Urology Nursing

Have information to add to this page?

References:
Chan, E. (2012).  Hong Kong perspective on nursing workforce planning, development, and education [PowerPoint presentation].  Retrieved from: http://www.ha.org.hk/haconvention/hac2012/proceedings/downloads/S8.3.pdf

 

Christiansen, A., Vernon, V., & Jinks, A. (2013).  Perceptions of the benefits and challenges of the role of advanced practice nurses in nurse-led out-of-hours care in Hong Kong: a questionnaire study.  Journal of Clinical Nursing.  22(7-8),1173-1181.  doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2702.04139.x

College of Nursing, Hong Kong (n.d.).  Clinical nurse specialist accreditation.  Retrieved from: http://www.cnhk.org.hk/eng/Files/Courses/Clinical_Nurse_Specialist_Accreditiation_Leaflet_101101_4.pdf

Kannusamy, P. (2006).  A longitudinal study of advanced practice nursing in Singapore.  Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America. 18,545-551.  doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2006.08.001

Lee, K. (2014, June 25).  Nurses looking for cure to staff shortages.  The Standard.  Retrieved from: http://thestandard.com.hk

Loke, A. (2004).  Hong Kong scenario: The development of nurse practitioner education program.  Retrieved from: http://international.aanp.org/pdf/LokeHKNP.pdf

Chan, S., Thompson, D.R., & Wong, T. (2006).  Chapter 14: Nurses as agents of quality improvement.  In Leung, G.M. & Bacon-Shone, J. (Eds.), Hong Kong’s health system: Reflections, perspectives and visions [Google e-reader version].  Aberdeen, Hong Kong:  Hong Kong University press.  Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/

Provisional Hong Kong Academy of Nursing Limited, The (2012).  Introduction of PHKAN.  Retrieved from: http://www.hkan.hk/

Schober, M. & Affara, F.A. (2006).  International Council of Nurses: Advanced Nursing Practice [Kindle e-reader version].  Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

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

Shiu, A.T., Lee, D.T., & Chau, J.P. (2012).  Exploring the scope of expanding advanced nursing practice in nurse-led clinics: A multiple-case study.  Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(8),1780-1792.  doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05868.x

Twinn, S. (2003, December 14).  Advanced nursing practice in public health nursing.  Hong Kong Society for Nursing Education Newsletter.  Retrieved from: http://www.hksne.org.hk/newsletter/200312-04.htm

Wong, F.K. (2002). Development of advanced nursing practice in Hong Kong: a celebration of ten years’ work [PowerPoint presentation]. Retrieved from: international.aanp.org/pdf/fwongicnanpdev_2406031.ppt‎

Wong, F.K.Y. & Chung, L.C.Y. (2006).  Establishing a definition for a nurse-led clinic: Structure, process, and outcome.  Journal of Advanced Nursing, 53(3),358-369.  doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2006.03730.x

[Updated: Jun 29, 2014]

Advanced Practice Nursing in Samoa

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Nurse Specialist

Nationally Certified:
Uncertain (Nationally Registered)

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Uncertain

Treatment Authority:
Uncertain

Prescribing Authority:
Uncertain

Practice Autonomously:
Uncertain

Contact:
Samoa Ministry of Health

Role

The role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in Samoa is identified by the Nurse Specialist role (Joel, 2013).  Registered nurses in Samoa can be cross-trained as midwives as well (Samoan Ministry of Health, 2006a).  At this time, there is insufficient information on the scope of this role, but the response of the advancement of nursing practice in Samoa appears to be related to a shortage of healthcare professionals in the current health system.  To date, the register of healthcare providers in Samoa is available online with more than 200 professionals in their system providing care of the 188,000 people in the country (World Bank, 2012).  Of these, in 2006 there were reported only 14 general practitioners in the country (Samoan Ministry of Health, 2006a).

According to the Samoan Ministry of Health (2006b), a specific shortage in mental health professionals is desired to be met with an increasing number of Mental Health Nursing Specialists by 2018.  Additionally, as the population has been increasing, there is encouragement to increase the number of skilled nurses trained as midwives by 2018 as well (Samoan Ministry of Health, 2006).

Education and Certification

An individual is required to have a year of postgraduate education to become a Nurse Specialist in Samoa (Joel, 2013).  Basic nursing education is provided at the bachelor level at the National University of Samoa.  Of note for education in Samoa is also the Oceania University of Medicine, which has a medical program that greatly encourages nurses to become physicians.  While this school has been under scrutiny due to corruption since 2011 and the future of the school is uncertain, such educational opportunities greatly influence the availability of health care professionals in the country (Hazelman-Siona, 2013).  Registration is necessary to practice in any healthcare role by the Ministry of Health in Samoa.

Specialties

Nursing Specialists in Samoa work in mental health nursing (Samoan Ministry of Health, 2006b).  Other specializations may well exist, but there is insufficient available information on the specialties practiced in Samoa.

Have information to add to this page?

References:
International Council of Nurses/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (2013).  Contact information sheet: Western Pacific, Fiji.  Retrieved from: http://www.icn.ch/details/17/116.html

Hazelman-Siona, N. (2013, May 8).  O.U.M.’s future still undecided.  Samoa Observer.  Retrieved from: http://www.samoaobserver.ws/education/4749-oums-future-still-undecided

Joel, L.A. (2013).  Advanced Nursing: Essentials of Role Development [3rd ed.; Electronic Book]. F.A. Davis.  Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/

Samoan Ministry of Health (2006a). Health Sector Plan 2008-2018.  Retrieved from: http://www.health.gov.ws/Portals/189/HEALTH%20SECTOR%20PLAN.pdf

Samoan Ministry of Health (2006b).  Samoa mental health policy.  Retrieved from: http://www.who.int/mental_health/policy/country/SamoaMHPolicy%20Final%20-%20Aug2006.pdf

World Bank (2012).  Population, total.  Retrieved from: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL

Advanced Practice Nursing in Singapore

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Advanced Practice Nurse

Nationally Certified:
Yes

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Yes

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Limited under acute care protocols

Practice Autonomously:
Varies

Contact:
Singapore Nursing Board

Role

An Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in Singapore is recognized as an APN.  In Singapore, the title “Advanced Practice Nurse” is protected and only allowed to be used by individuals certified by the Singapore Nursing Board (Fee, 2012).  The development of the APN role in Singapore, has been a proactive response to alleviate increased workforce stress due to an aging population with greater health care needs, while also providing career advancement opportunities for nurses (Kannusamy, 2006; Premarani, n.d.).  As a result, Singapore initially developed a master of nursing program training individuals in advanced clinical skills in 2003 and had its first graduates in 2004 (Sheer and Wong, 2008).  Since the development of the APN role, Singapore plans on increasing the APN number to more than 200, approximately 1.4% of the nursing population, by 2014 (Sheer and Wong, 2008; Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013).  While this is the goal that has been set for Singapore, the Singapore Ministry of Health (2011) identified currently 88 APNs registered to practice in the country in 2012.

The role of the APN in Singapore is best described as a hybrid of the Clinical Nurse Specialist and the Nurse Practitioner (Fee, 2012; Bee, 2012).  APNs are trained in the advancement of the registered nurse profession to add the role skills of diagnosis and management of common ailments and chronic illnesses (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012).  The scope of practice for the APN in Singapore includes the following (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012; Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013):

  • Advanced physical assessment
  • Develop diagnosis and differential diagnoses
  • Interpret laboaratory and diagnostic testing
  • Management of care
  • Performing procedures
  • Collaboration with other healthcare professionals including doctors
  • Advancement of nursing through development and implementation of Evidence Based Practice into current healthcare

APNs in Singapore work in all settings, including primary, secondary, and tertiary care as well as peer and nursing education (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012).  Pharmaceutical prescribing and management is under current investigation and standardization (Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013).  While prescribing is recognized to be traditionally under the medical domain, it is acknowledged that by preventing prescribing rights, this prevention would inhibit the effectiveness of the role (Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013).  As a result, APNs currently are allowed to provide (furnish) medication prescription privleges in certain acute care settings according to pre-identified protocols (Singapore General Hospital, 2013; Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013).

As APNs have only recently developed an established role in Singapore, the Singapore Nursing Board (2012) also requires the hiring institution to identify the specific scope of practice and role for the APN.

Education and Certification

Registration was first established in Singapore in 2006 (Sheer and Wong, 2008).  To be an APN in Singapore, an individual must be registered with the Singapore Nursing board and have at least 3 years of post registration experience in their specialty (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012).  There is currently one program in Singapore recognized by the Board, the Master of Nursing program at the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore.   Applications for registration must be made in person.  Once an individual graduates for an accredited program and has submitted for registration, they are required to perform one year of supervised clinical practice with a minimum of 1280 hours of direct patient care at an advanced level (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012).

Specialties

Currently, APNs in Singapore may be qualified as one of four specializations (Singapore Nursing Board, 2012):

  • Acute Care APN
  • Medical/Surgical APN
  • Community Care APN
  • Mental Health APN

The roles of the APN in acute care specializations includes current APNs or interns in (Singapore General Hospital, 2013; Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 2013):

  • Anesthesiology
  • Cardiology
  • Diabetes and Endocrinology
  • Family Medicine Continuing Care
  • Gasteroenterology and Nutrition
  • Gerentology
  • Intensive Care
  • Neurology
  • Neurology Intensive Care
  • Oncology
  • Orthopedics
  • Pelvic Floor Disorders
  • Palliative Care
  • Rehabiliation Medicine
  • Renal and
  • Vascular Surgery

Have information to add to this page?

References:
Bee, T.S. (2012).  Advanced practice nursing in Singapore – Clinical outcomes [PowerPoint presentation].  Retrieved from: http://www.hksne.org.hk/course/DrTanSiokBeeAPNCareOutcomes.pdf

Fee, L.S. (2012).  Pioneering moments of APN in an acute tertiary hospital in Singapore [PowerPoint presentation].  Retrieved from: http://www.hksne.org.hk/course/MsLimSuFeePioneeringMomentsofAPN.pdf

Kannusamy, P. (2006).  A longitudinal study of advanced practice nursing in Singapore.  Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America. 18,545-551.  doi:10.1016/j.ccell.2006.08.001

Premarani, K. (n.d.).  Advanced practice in Singapore [PowerPoint Presentation].  Retrieved from: https://international.aanp.org/pdf/P13.ppt

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

Singapore General Hospital (2013).  Advanced practice nurse.  Retrieved from: http://www.sgh.com.sg/clinical-departments-centers/nursing/nursingprofession/pages/advanced-practice-nurse.aspx

Singapore Ministry of Health (2011).  Health manpower.  Retrieved from: http://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/statistics/Health_Facts_Singapore/Health_Manpower.html

Singapore Nursing Board (2012).  Advanced practice nurse.  Retrieved from: http://www.healthprofessionals.gov.sg/content/hprof/snb/en/leftnav/advanced_practice_nurse.html

Tan Tock Seng Hospital (2013).  Advanced practice nurses.  Retrieved from: http://www.ttsh.com.sg/APN/

Advanced Practice Nursing in the Fiji Islands

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Nurse Practitioner

Nationally Certified:
Uncertain (Nationally Registered)

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Uncertain

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Yes

Practice Autonomously:
Yes

Contact:
Fiji Ministry of Health
Fiji School of Nursing

Role

The role of Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) in the Fiji Islands is represented by Nurse Practitioners (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul, & Loke, 2009).  This role was developed to primarily help address the significant primary care needs in the rural communities, especially as 60% of individuals living within Fiji live in such settings with minimal health care access (Joel, 2013).  The first class graduated with their post-graduate diploma in 1999 (Downs, E., Personal Communication, 2013, October 12; Joel, 2013).

The role of NPs in Fiji works under established protocols, allowing individuals some prescriptive privileges (Joel, 2013).  As a result however, there is still need to develop standardized treatment guidelines throughout the region (Joel, 2013).

Education and Certification

To be accepted into an Advanced Practice Nursing program in the Fiji Islands, an individual is required to be either or both a Registered Nurse or a midwife and have a minimum of five years of clinical experience in a health care setting (Fiji National University, 2013).  The program currently is offered at the Fiji School of Nursing, which is now a part of the National University, and transitioning the program to offer Masters degrees to graduates.  This program has become regional and has also graduated individuals from the Solomon Islands, Marshall Islands, Tonga, and Tuvalu (Downs, E., Personal Communication, 2013, October 12; Joel, 2013).

Registration is obtained by the Ministry of Health for all individuals in nursing, midwifery and advanced nursing practice (International Council of Nurses/APN Network, 2013).

Specialties

Nurse Practitioners primarily work in the role of primary health care (Joel, 2013).

Have information to add to this page?

References:
Fiji National University (2013).  School of Nursing.  Retrieved from: http://www.fnu.ac.fj/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1501&Itemid=284

International Council of Nurses/Advanced Practice Nursing Network (2013).  Contact information sheet: Western Pacific, Fiji.  Retrieved from: http://www.icn.ch/details/17/116.html

Joel, L.A. (2013).  Advanced Nursing: Essentials of Role Development [3rd ed.; Electronic Book]. F.A. Davis.  Retrieved from: http://books.google.com/

Pulcini, J., Jelic, M., Gul, R, & Loke, A.Y. (2009).  An international survey on advanced practice nursing, education, practice, and regulation.  Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(1),31-39.  doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2009.01322.x

Advanced Practice Nursing in Canada

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
Yes

Title:
Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Specialist

Nationally Certified:
Yes

Recognize Foreign Licensure:
Yes

Treatment Authority:
Yes

Prescribing Authority:
Yes

Practice Autonomously:
Yes

Contact:
Canadian Nurses Association
Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario

Role

Initially, the APN role started in the 1970s (Sheer & Wong, 2008).  It was after individuals from new Nurse Practitioner programs in 1973 in Ontario banded together to create the Nurse Practitioners’ Association of Ontario, that they began to develop a presence and push for a recognized role in Canada (Sheer & Wong, 2008).  While the role was minimal initially, it wasn’t until the 1990’s with additional health care reform that Nurse Practitioners became more prevalent in Canada (Pulcini, Jelic, Gul, & Loke, 2009).  The role was initially designed to meet the primary health care needs of the country (Pulcini et al., 2009).  Since that time, the role of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) in Canada is represented by Nurse Practitioners and Clinical Nurse Specialists.

Nurse Practitioner
More prevalent and increasing in number is the Nurse Practitioner role in Canada.  The CNA (2013a) identifies, “Nurse practitioners provide direct patient care, focusing on health promotion and the treatment and management of health conditions.  They have an expanded scope of practice and can diagnose, order and interpret diagnostic tests.  They can also prescribe medications and perform certain procedures.”

The role of the Nurse Practitioner in Canada does allow for significant autonomy, as is regulated according to province.  Recently, there has been an emerging trend of Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics in Canada greatly fostered by the desire to meet the primary care needs of Canada, fostered by the developed role of the Nurse Practitioner in the country (DiCenso et al., 2010).   While autonomy is available for Nurse Practitioners in Canada, the majority are employed as a part of practices with physicians (DiCenso et al., 2010).  Such clinics have currently been developing or already functioning in the provinces of Manitoba and Ontario (Krahn, 2013; Adler, 2013).

Clinical Nurse Specialist
According to the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA, 2013a), “Clinical nurse specialists provide expert nursing care and play a leading role in the development of clinical guidelines and protocols.  They promote the use of evidence, promote expert support and consultation, and facilitate system change.”

Essentially, the role of the CNS does not have any expounded role to that of Registered Nurses and as a result, there is no further legislation required to identify the role of the CNS, and resultantly the title is not protected.  According to DiCenso et al. (2010) there have been reports of varying levels of practice, to the point that individuals have been observed to very limited prescribing rights in isolated situations (DiCenso et al., 2010).  As a result, there is significant room for role clarity in the future.

Education and Certification

To become a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in Canada, an individual must be minimally educated at the graduate level and pass the Canadian Nurse Practitioner Exam written by the Canadian Nurses Association (2013a).  Additionally, NPs are then required to hold a license in the province they desire to practice (Robinson & Griffiths, 2007).

As the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) is inconsistent, there has been efforts to distinctly separate the NP and CNS roles in education.  However individuals who are identified as CNSs are educated at the graduate level, holding a masters or doctorate degree (Robinson & Griffiths, 2007).

Certification for nursing specialties is an optional certification available to nurses after two years of clinical experience.  Once qualified, an individual is required to take a certification exam in the specific specialty desired.  This role requires an individual to be a Registered Nurse (RN) and does not require graduate level education.

Specialties

Nurse Practitioner specialties are primarily not offered throughout the various schools of advanced nursing practice in Canada, as most individuals receive generalist NP degrees (DiCenso et al., 2010).  There are several exceptions, primarily in neonatology throughout Canada, and in Quebec where specialty roles are offered in cardiology, nephrology, and neonatology.

Have information to add to this page?

References:

Adler, M. (2013, September 20).  Hong Fook Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic welcomed in Agincourt.  Scarborough Mirror.  Retrieved from: http://www.insidetoronto.com/news-story/4116601-hong-fook-nurse-practitioner-led-clinic-welcomed-in-agincourt/

Canadian Nurses Association [CNA] (2013a).  Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Specialists.  Retrieved from: http://www.cna-aiic.ca/en/professional-development/nurse-practitioner-and-clinical-specialists

Canadian Nurses Association [CNA] (2013b).  Position Statement: Advanced Nursing Practice [Electronic document].  Retrieved from: http://www.cna-aiic.ca/~/media/cna/page%20content/pdf%20en/2013/07/26/10/23/ps60_advanced_nursing_practice_2007_e.pdf

Delamaire, M. & Lafortune, G. (2010). Nurses in advanced roles: A description and evaluation of experiences in 12 developed countries.  OECD Health Working Papers, 54, OECD Publishing.http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/5kmbrcfms5g7-en

DiCenso, A., Bourgeault, I., Abelson, J., Martin-Misener, R., Kaasalainen, S. …Kilpatrick, K. (2010).  Utilization of nurse practitioners to increase patient access to primary healthcare in Canada–Thinking outside the box.  Nursing Leadership (Toronto, Ontario). 2010, 239-259.

Krahn, H. (2013, September 25).  Letters to the editor: Fragmenting a workable system.  Winnipeg Free Press.  Retrieved from: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/letters_to_the_editor/fragmenting-a-workable-system-225147162.html

Pulcini, J., Jelic, M., Gul, R, & Loke, A.Y. (2009).  An international survey on advanced practice nursing, education, practice, and regulation.  Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(1),31-39.  doi: 10.1111/j.1547-5069.2009.01322.x

Robinson, S. & Griffiths, P. (2007).  Nursing education and regulation: International profiles and perspectives [online publication].  Retrieved from:http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/348772/1/NurseEduProfiles.pdf

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

Advanced Practice Nursing in Costa Rica

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
No

Contact:
Colegío de Enfermeras de Costa Rica

Role

There is no current Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) role in Costa Rica today (post by Julie Slivinsky, All Nurses.com, 2011, January 8).  Reportedly from the last World Health Organization (WHO, 2013a) reported in 2000, there were approximately 1.32 physicians per 1000 people, significantly lower than the majority of developed nations.  Meanwhile, there are 0.69 nurses per every physician, creating a healthcare workforce with significantly more physicians than nurses (WHO, 2013b).  This factor is likely a significant inhibiting factor for such APN role development.

Meanwhile, there is reportedly a history of a midwifery role, that has been in existence since 1899 (Colegio de Enfermeras de Costa Rica, 2011).  In 2000, there were reportedly 22 midwives in the country (WHO, 2013b).

Specialties

Not applicable at this time.

Have information to add to this page?

References:
Colegio de Enfermeras de Costa Rica (2011).  Historia de la enfermería en Costa Rica.  Retrieved from: http://www.enfermeras.co.cr/HistoriaEnfermeriaCostaRica.html

World Health Organization [WHO] (2013).  Aggregated Data: Density per 1000 by country.  Retrieved from: http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.A1444?lang=en

World Health Organization [WHO] (2013b). Disaggregated data: Nursing and midwifery personnel by country.  Retrieved from: http://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.HWF1?lang=en

Advanced Practice Nursing in India

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Snapshot

APN Role Exists in Country Today:
No

Title:
Nurse Practitioner

Contact:
Indian Nursing Council

Role

With 72% of the Indian population residing in rural areas and 75% of medical providers residing in urban areas, India is currently experiencing significant shortages of physicians, particularly in rural areas (Penn Nursing Science, 2013).  In addition, the overall country has a shortage of nurses and physicians, so much so that is it estimated that there is only one physician for every 1700 people (Kumar, 2013).  While the normal standards for nurse to physician ratios often reflect between a 2.0 to 3.0 nurses per physician, India has an alarmingly low nurse to physician ratio estimated around 1.22 nurses per physican (Munjanja, Kibuka, & Dovlo, 2005).  With alarmingly low health care professionals in the country, there is significant need for advancement of those few who have the education as a nurse may well be the exclusive healthcare professional in a rural area.

Recently the region of West Benghal started training Advanced Practice Nurses, identified as Nurse Practitioners (Kumar, 2013).  While this role has just begun, India has found significant resistance to developing an advanced nursing role primarily based on strong pressures by medical organizations to not increase the scope of practice of nurses.  This is primarily related to the country’s health system that has traditionally held very limited roles for nursing and maintained physicians as sole individuals to provide advanced healthcare (Penn Nursing Science, 2013).

Meanwhile, in the region of Kerala, some have reported that graduate level Nurse Practitioner courses are already offered from the Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (shahinshahul, ClinicalResearchSociety.org, 2012, May 28).  While such programs are offered through various independent schools throughout the country, there is yet a standard identified for a Nurse Practitioner or specific advanced practice role.

Education and Certification

Education standards in India vary from diploma programs for general nursing, bachelor programs consistent with international standards, and masters and PhD programs in nursing (CurrentNursing.com, 2013).  While these programs do offer education allowing individuals to learn advanced practice nursing concepts, the current healthcare structure in the country does not provide ample opportunities for nursing advancement at the bachelor level, let alone at the masters and PhD levels, leading to many individuals leaving their areas and country to pursue more adventitious employment (Baumann & Blythe, 2008; Penn Nursing Science, 2013).  While many of the individuals who practice nursing in India are not bachelor educated, according to Nochols, Davis and Richardson (2009), India has begun to phase out their non-bachelor programs.

Midwifery is a standard of general nursing practice in India.  Regulation varies according to state and in the country no nurse is allowed to have permission to practice in more than one state at a time.  In some states, it is illegal for males to perform midwifery and obstetrics care and as it is a part of general education, there is a greater shortage of nurses in those regions (Nichols, Davis, & Richardson, 2009).

Individuals interested in attaining permission to practice in India require permission by the Equivalency Council at selected charities for a limited duration (Indian Nursing Council, 2013).  Such provisional permission to practice in India is granted for diploma, bachelor, and master prepared nurses and granted permissions.

While an individual of foreign education may have a master degree in nursing, the provisional permissions currently in India allow them to work in the administration, but no part of the application requires specific education on patient care, indicating an individual can likely not practice at any Advanced Nursing level without exclusive permission by the nursing council (as has been granted to Penn State in the region they are attempting to initiate Nurse Practitioner education) (Indian Nursing Council, 2013).

Specialties

  • Critical Care

See something and want to add to this page?

References:

Baumann, A. & Blythe, J. (2008). Globalization of higher education in nursing.  The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 13(2), manuscript 4.  doi: 10.3912/OJIN.Vol13No02Man04

CurrentNursing.com (2013).  Nursing Education In India.  Retrieved October 2, 2013 from: http://currentnursing.com/nursing_education/nursing_education_in_india.html

Kumar (2013, September 23).  India has just one doctor for every 1700 people.  The New Indian Express.  Retrieved from: http://newindianexpress.com/magazine/India-has-just-one-doctor-for-every-1700-people/2013/09/22/article1792010.ece

Indian Nursing Council (2013).  Home.  Retrieved October 2, 2013 from: http://www.indiannursingcouncil.org/

Khanna, R. (2018). Personal Communication.

Munjanja, O.K., Kibuka, S., & Dovlo, D. (2005).  Issue Paper 7: The Nursing Workforce In Sub-Saharan Africa.  International Council of Nurses.  Retrieved from: www.ghdonline.org/

Nichols, B.L., Davis, C.R., & Richardson, D.R. (2011).  Appendix J: International models of nursing.  The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.  Institute of Medicine.  Retrieved from: http://www.nap.edu/catalog/12956.html

Penn Nursing Science (2013).  Utilizing APNs to Solve Provider Shortage in Rural India.  Retrieved October 2, 2013 from: http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/gha/Pages/UtilizingAPNstoSolveProviderShortageinRuralIndia.aspx

[Updated 2022, May 07]