An exploratory study of hospital stakeholders’ perceptions on the introduction of advanced practice nurses

Introduction: One solution proposed by the authorities to address public health issues is to deploy a new category of professionals with a greater range of skills: advanced practice nurses (APNs). The literature identifies the complexity of the deployment projects of these professionals. The PEPPA model approved by the International Council of Nurses is the reference model for the introduction of APNs. The objectives of this study were to explore various stakeholders’ perceptions on the introduction of APNs into health institutions, in order to propose recommendations to support the institutions.
Method: A multicenter qualitative study was conducted in France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region with physicians, managers, nurses, patients, and advanced practice students.
Results: APNs are beneficial for patients and the health system, but their introduction into health institutions brings with it risks, primarily linked to their integration. APN introduction projects need to be well planned and should prioritize their integration.
Discussion: Results consistent with the PEPPA model identified seven recommendations to facilitate the successful introduction of APNs into hospitals.
Conclusion: This work needs to be continued with studies related to the out-of-hospital setting and the evaluation of the successfulness of APNs’ introduction.