J Korean Clin Nurs Res.  2020 Aug;26(2):240-253. 10.22650/JKCNR.2020.26.2.240.

Study on Systematization of Advanced Practice Nursing in Korea

• KMID: 2505974
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.22650/JKCNR.2020.26.2.240

Abstract

Purpose
This study was conducted to provide basic data for the systematization of 13 areas related to Advanced Practice Nurses (APN).
Methods
The three-phase study was conducted as follows. 1) review of APN system and curriculum, 2) Focus Group Interviews (FGI) with 9 APNs, 6 physicians, and 3 nursing professors on the APN system, 3) analysis of clinical practice of the 13 APN areas, and of the accreditation and certification system for APNs, medical board, and medical subspecialty board. Based on the above data, a systematic plan was drawn.
Results
The 13 APN areas could be divided into 7 groups based on a review of the APN system and curriculum for the 13 areas. Analysis based on clinical practice showed that the 13 APN areas could be divided into 4 groups. Two themes and seven categories emerged in FGI. The two themes were 1) 13 APN areas that need to be discussed, 2) improving the curriculum for APN. Considering these themes from FGI and the system of the medical subspecialty board, results could be integrated into 2 groups - clinical area and non-clinical area.
Conclusion
The 13 APN areas need to be integrated in order to activate the APN system. For that, further discussions on improvements and a standard curriculum according to legislation related to APN should be carried out.

Keyword

Nurse Practitioners; Systems Integration; Curriculum; Professional Practice