EXTENDED PRACTICE NURSES’ NEEDS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR COMPETENCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES
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Abstract
With the increasing complexity of healthcare services and the growing importance of interdisciplinary teams, advanced practice nurses are becoming an increasingly significant component of the healthcare system. In Lithuania, opportunities for the development of advanced
practice nurses’ competencies remain insufficiently defined, which limits their professional development and hinders the effective utilization of their potential in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to identify the needs and expectations of advanced practice nurses regarding opportunities for competency development. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews developed based on a review of scientific literature. The study was conducted online between November and December 2024. A total of ten advanced practice nurses representing different healthcare fields participated. The data were analyzed using an inductive qualitative content analysis method, in accordance with the principles of the Helsinki Declaration. The findings revealed that advanced practice nurses seek to strengthen practical skills according to their areas of specialization, with particular emphasis on communication and management. Practical training is perceived as essential, and knowledge updating as inevitable. Simulation-based activities,
mentorship, and international collaboration were identified as the most effective learning formats. Key barriers were related to the lack of a clearly defined professional status, limited access to information about learning opportunities, and insufficient employer engagement. The study found that advanced practice nurses associate competency development needs with enhancing practical skills in mental health, emergency care, and intensive care settings. They expressed expectations for specialized courses, particularly those focused on communication and team management. Meeting these needs requires clearer regulation of the professional role, more effective information dissemination, and coordinated collaboration between educational institutions, employers, and policy-makers to ensure the growth of advanced practice nurses’ competencies and the strengthening of their professional identity.
Keywords: advanced practice nurse, competency development, professional expectations, learning needs, learning opportunities, learning challenges.
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