Advanced Practice Nursing Framework

Following its introduction during the 1960s, the role of the advanced practice nurse (hereinafter alternatively "APN") has expanded greatly into a number of specialty areas (Nwosuocha, 1999). Consequently, the definition of the advanced practice nurse has also experienced significant changes. According to Nwosuocha, "With the expanded roles of advanced practice nursing there are many definitions of what constitute faculty practice. Teaching, service, joint appointments and other forms of practice are included in this definition" (1999, p. 62). Although specific definitions vary, Lachman (2006) reports that, "Nurses with advanced training are licensed, registered nurses with a master's degree who have received specialty credentialing as an advanced practice nurse" (pp. 78-79).

The titles assigned to the advanced practice nursing role also vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but include general terms such as clinical nurse specialist and nurse practitioner, with specialty fields of practice including adult psychiatric clinical nurse...
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