Advanced Practice Nursing: Update and Perspectives in Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The supply of care should be reorganized because of health care needs and the constraints that are applied to the health system. Number of countries facing the same conclusion introduced the concept of advanced practice nursing and obtained satisfactory clinical outcomes. The health law currently under discussion in French parliament propose to establish advanced practice for nurses. In this context, it is necessary to clarify the concept of advanced practice nursing using validated international frameworks. This is a preliminary step to the introduction of this function in France. Advanced practice nursing is mainly focused on clinical practice and is based primarily on a strong nursing expertise. The advanced practice nurse (APN) is working with the multiprofessional team. The leadership that characterizes the APN leads to a systemic approach, and to promote innovation in health care environments. The possible contribution of APN in an intensive care unit will be considered in order to understand better the nature and the interest of this new nursing role.