Advanced Practice Nursing

Overview

Advanced Practice Nursing at Åbo Akademi University follows the International Council of Nurses’ recommendations for Advanced Practice Nursing. The overall learning outcome is for students to gain advanced clinical competencies, including clinical decision-making skills to work as advanced practice nurses, and skills to care for people with acute health problems and/or patients with complex and long-term health conditions. 

Key facts:

• The ageing population and the increasing number people with long-term and multiple illnesses is a growing challenge. New types of skills and services are required for person-centred care, rehabilitation and prevention, as well as service coordination and informal family caregiving. Nurses will increasingly be responsible for monitoring the condition of patients with acute and long-term illnesses and bear primary responsibility, as well as provide support and/or consultant services to other healthcare professionals emphasising professional collaboration. In addition, shortening hospital stays and the more advanced treatment methods will increase the need for in-depth nursing expertise in primary and specialized health care.

• After completing this programme you will be able to practice in wider areas of responsibility, work independently in advanced clinical roles, provide direct healthcare services to individuals, families and communities, influence clinical healthcare outcomes, as well as contribute to the development of evidence-based healthcare services. Completed studies will result in a Master of Health Sciences degree.

• The International Council of Nurses (ICN; 2004) define an advanced practice nurse as: “A registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice.”