title: Framework for Evaluating the Impact of Advanced Practice Nursing Roles.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To address the gap in evidence-based information required to support the development of advanced practice nursing (APN) roles in Switzerland, stakeholders identified the need for guidance to generate strategic evaluation data. This article describes an evaluation framework developed to inform decisions about the effective utilization of APN roles across the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  A participatory approach was used by an international group of stakeholders. Published literature and an evidenced-based framework for introducing APN roles were analyzed and applied to define the purpose, target audiences, and essential elements of the evaluation framework. Through subsequent meetings and review by an expert panel, the framework was developed and refined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A framework to evaluate different types of APN roles as they evolve to meet dynamic population health, practice setting, and health system needs was created. It includes a matrix of key concepts to guide evaluations across three stages of APN role development: introduction, implementation, and long-term sustainability. For each stage, evaluation objectives and questions examining APN role structures, processes, and outcomes from different perspectives (e.g., patients, providers, managers, policy-makers) were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A practical, robust framework based on well-established evaluation concepts and current understanding of APN roles can be used to conduct systematic evaluations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The evaluation framework is sufficiently generic to allow application in developed countries globally, both for evaluation as well as research purposes.
authors: Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Department of Oncology, Co-Director, Canadian Centre for Advanced Practice Nursing Research, McMaster University, Canada.
authors: Denise
authors: D
authors: Bryant-Lukosius
authors: Scientific Collaborator, Department of Nursing Development, Directorate of Nursing, Medical-Technical and Medical-Therapeutical Areas, Bern University Hospital and Lecturer, Institute of Nursing Science, University Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Elisabeth
authors: E
authors: Spichiger
authors: Executive Head, Department of Nursing and Allied Health Professions, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Jacqueline
authors: J
authors: Martin
authors: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cancer Care, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Hansruedi
authors: H
authors: Stoll
authors: Advanced Practice Nurse, Haematology Care, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Sabine Degen
authors: SD
authors: Kellerhals
authors: Advanced Practice Nurse, Palliative Care, Co-Director of the University Centre for Palliative Care and Scientific Collaborator, Department of Nursing Development, Directorate of Nursing, Medical-Technical and Medical-Therapeutical Areas, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors: Monica
authors: M
authors: Fliedner
authors: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emergency Department, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Florian
authors: F
authors: Grossmann
authors: Nurse Practitioner, Program Leader, Institute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Morag
authors: M
authors: Henry
authors: Head of Nursing Development, Directorate of Nursing, Medical-Technical and Medical-Therapeutical Areas, Inselspital Bern University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Luzia
authors: L
authors: Herrmann
authors: Advanced Practice Nurse, Departments of Internal Medicine and Palliative Care, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors: Antje
authors: A
authors: Koller
authors: Director of Education, Institute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: René
authors: R
authors: Schwendimann
authors: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Geriatric Care, Head of Nursing, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Anja
authors: A
authors: Ulrich
authors: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Cardiology Care, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Lukas
authors: L
authors: Weibel
authors: Nurse Practitioner, Family Medicine Center at California Hospital, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
authors: Betty
authors: B
authors: Callens
authors: Professor and Director of the Institute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland and Professor, Academic Centre for Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
authors: Sabina
authors: S
authors: De Geest
mesh_terms: D057179:Advanced Practice Nursing; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D006801:Humans; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013557:Switzerland
keywords: Advanced practice nursing; evaluation; evaluation framework; human resources; models of care; role development