title: Description and evaluation of an initiative to develop advanced practice nurses in mainland China.
abstract: This paper describes an initiative to develop Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) in mainland China and evaluation of the outcomes of the described programme. The pioneer project was an APN postgraduate programme involving 38 students conducted in Guangzhou, China during 2004-2005. Data related to curriculum content and process, student performance, self-reported competence and programme effects were collected. Quantitative data such as demographic data, student performance were analysed using descriptive statistics and the pre and post self-reported practice of competence was compared using chi-square test. Qualitative data such as case reports and interviews were examined using thematic analyses. Reflective journals and case studies revealed the attributes of APNs in managing clinical cases at advanced level, applying theory into practice and exercising evidence-based practice. The relatively modest self-reported practice of competence suggested that the graduates were novice APNs and needed continued development after the completion of the programme. This study reports the experience of an initiative in China and suggests a useful curriculum framework for educating APNs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hunghom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China. hsfwong@inet.polyu.edu.hk
authors.forename: Frances Kam Yuet
authors.initials: FK
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Gangyi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Eva C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Kan
authors.forename: Yajie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Ada T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lau
authors.forename: Liying
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Annie F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Xueqin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Vilna O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.forename: Weiju
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002681:China; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking; D014956:Writing