The development of advanced nursing practice globally.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the development of advanced nursing practice globally.


METHODS
Data were collected from documentary resources available in the International Nurse Practitioners/Advanced Practice Nurse Network (INP/APNN) of the International Council of Nurses. The areas examined were guided by the "key informant survey on advanced nursing practice self-administered questionnaire." Two core members of the INP/APNN who have rich experience in global advanced nursing development analyzed the data.A total of 14 countries and three regions from five continents were included in the analyses. The development of advanced nursing practice in these areas is facilitated by a need for better access to care in a cost-containment era and the enhancement of nursing education to postgraduate level. The mechanism for regulation of practice is in place in some countries.


CONCLUSIONS
Confirms the development of advanced practice in nursing is a global trend.


CONCLUSIONS
APNs can improve global health with points to enhanced education in nursing and regulation of advanced practice.
University of Delaware, Newark, DE, USA.
Barbara
B
Sheer
Frances Kam Yuet
FK
Wong
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002568:Certification; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000451:nursing; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration; D014943:Global Health; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000458:organization & administration; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007392:International Council of Nurses / Q000458:organization & administration; D008008:Licensure, Nursing; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011361:Professional Competence; D012042:Registries; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires