Issue 3 September 2004

1. ICN INP/APN Network Bulletin The Education Subgroup has posted the Chair Update, Madrean Schober position papers on the role of the NP/APN in different countries, and has listed informative

links for programmes and courses on offer in Resources and representation for the ICN several nations. The Communication International /Advanced Subgroup has successfully launched the Practice Network continue to increase second issue of the bulletin, which spotlights as we approach the end of 2004: countries of the Middle East. Articles of

interest continue to be solicited. The . International scope, standards and conference report of the Geneva meeting was competency guidelines for advanced published at Medscape Nursing and the practice nursing roles are in the final Network was represented at the National stage of development. It is hoped Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties that these documents will be held in the USA in April 2004. available for worldwide access within

the next six to twelve months. The Conference Subgroup has finalized the

template and time-line for host countries . A Network Resource Bank (NRB) is interested in sponsoring conferences. Once now in place with plans to increase the logo was selected, a banner with photos utilisation of this resource of experts was developed and will be available for use at in the field. Those interested in the booth display in Taiwan in 2005. Petrie becoming a member of NRB can Roodbol of the Research Subgroup reported access the application on the web on the website survey which received site at www.icn-apnetwork.org under responses from 68 countries on the role of the membership tab. Nurse Practitioners, familiarity with the role,

education and practice. The Policy . The 2006 ICN INP/APNN /Standards/Regulation Subgroup has Conference will be hosted by completed and submitted the 7th draft of the DENOSA in the Republic of South Scope of Practice and Standards for the Africa and the 2008 conference will NP/APN. This was presented to the be held in Toronto, Canada. conference participants in Groningen and has

also been posted on the website for additional The term of this chair will end in December feedback from members as well as NNA 2004 with a vision of network expansion that members of ICN. continues to include far-reaching global representation and increased opportunities for the international community to contribute to and access information on trends and growth for advanced nursing practice. Table of contents

Update from Chair 1 2. Network Committee Update Committee Update 1 Subgroup activities for 2003-2004 3rd ICN INP/APN Conference 2 Rosemary Goodyear, Core Steering Group INP Membership 2 Nursing Around the World 2 The subgroups of the INP/APN Network have Featured Member Activities 3 been working toward moving the network Featured Organisation 4 forward in the global community of nurse Meeting News 4 practitioners and advanced practice nurses.

1 3. Report of 3rd ICN INP/APN apnetwork.org and a conference report was Network Conference published at Medscape Nursing and can be accessed at http://www.medscape.com. Barbara Sheer, Communications Chair (posted 7/21/04).

“Critical Pathways in a Global Context” was the theme of the 3rd ICN INP/APN Network 4. Current Membership Conference held in Groningen, the Netherlands on June 29- July 3, 2004. The Current Membership of the INP/APNN totals Conference Chair, Mrs. Petri Roodbol, and the 548, and the Resource Bank has 50 capable staff welcomed delegates members. If you would like to become a representing 27 countries. member, please consult the website, or, if you have expertise to share, please join the Some European countries were represented Network Resource Bank. Together we can with delegates and speakers for the first time make a difference in global care. at a network conference. Switzerland and Belgium are moving in the direction of advanced practice nursing, while Germany is 5. Nursing Around the World facing changes in and nursing education with mixed results. Advanced Nursing Practice in Switzerland Lyn Lindpaintner, Institute of Nursing Science, There were diverse presentations from around University of Basel the world including, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The history of advanced practice nursing in Sweden and Thailand. The most poster Switzerland is very recent, but very dynamic. presentations were from representatives from The Institute of Nursing Science (INS) at the Japan. University of Basel was founded in 2000, and is the first university-level nursing programme The changes in the European union were in Switzerland. Furthermore, the INS highlighted in keynotes by drs Ria von articulated a clinically oriented mission: to Bonninghausen tot Herinkhave-Visser, chair improve health outcomes in the Swiss of the Permanent Committee of Nurses in the population, especially those living with chronic Netherlands and Philip C. Berman, Director of illness, through the development of advanced the European Healthcare Management nursing practice. This has required innovative Association. In particular, the freedom of curricular developments since, until the INS movement for people and services within the Master’s programme was established, European Market has significant implications physical assessment skills had not been for nursing and health care. systematically taught, even in advanced clinical education. The challenges posed by Dr Stephanie Ferguson, ICN consultant, the growing epidemic of chronic illness have offered a leadership pre-conference workshop raised awareness of the important contribution for the network committee members and, in a of advanced nursing practice in this arena. In keynote session, discussed the Leadership for particular, in the areas of geriatric, cardiac and Change programme developed by ICN. Her transplant nursing, as well as HIV/AIDS care, inspiring presentation highlighted the need for new roles are evolving rapidly. The INS’ countries to develop nursing leadership within efforts in clinical field development, research the country to move health forward. Nurses and teaching will surely stimulate important need support and inspiration to be actively change. involved in the health care changes that all nations face. in Germany Gertrud Leser Fadwa Affara, representing ICN and the Bielefeld, Germany network policy/standards/ regulation subgroup, presented the latest draft of the Nurse education in Germany is comparable to international scope and standards of practice. international programmes in content; however, th This is the 7 draft and is now available on the most nursing schools are private hospital- network website for international comment. based schools and come under the Ministry of After the comment period, it will go back to the Health. This applies particularly to committee for the final version. programmes in adult nursing, newborn and children nursing, midwifery and nursing Petie Roodbol presented the results of the assistance. 2003-2004 network survey. The 637 respondents, representing 68 countries, There is also a programme leading to the responded positively to the concept of the qualification of care of the elderly nurse, under nurse practitioner. Educational programmes the Ministry of Social Affairs, and a were reported in 42 of the countries with over programme in handicapped/disabled nursing, half at the masters level. A press release is under the Ministry of Education. posted on the website http://www.icn-

2 Recent changes in some nursing laws and areas. These roles continue to evolve and programmes aim towards a common future directions are emerging. foundation in newborn/child nursing and general nursing. There are also pilot The Challenges of Developing the Nurse programmes that include care of the elderly in Practitioner Role in Puerto Rico the common foundation phase. Janet Rodríguez, University of Puerto Rico Lenore Resick, Duquesne University-School Overall, although recent changes try to bring of Nursing nurse education into line with general health care moves that include shorter hospital stays Historically, initiating the role of the nurse and more community-based health facilities, practitioner worldwide has not been without the nursing profession in Germany continues struggle. Puerto Rico, like many countries, to be split into different professional groups. has encountered various challenges and Nurses and politicians continue the debate to oppositions to gaining recognition for this role. establish Bsc courses as a first step into the In 1997, the University of Puerto Rico, Medical profession, but progress is hampered by Sciences Campus, School of Nursing initiated financial constraints. an ongoing collaboration with Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. By 2000, there was a necessity to create a Advanced practice nurses are born in culturally competent nurse practitioner Thailand curriculum in order to provide the people of Prathana Langkarpint Payap, University Puerto Rico with health services at lower cost Thailand and to promote and maintain health.

The APN concept was adopted by the Nursing The initial challenge was to gain support from Council of Thailand in 1998 and in 2003, the the people and the medical and nursing first group of 49 APNs were certified in professions. Language barriers, limited Thailand. accessibility to a Nurse Practitioner Programme and no legal recognition of the In order to avoid the title confusion and nurse practitioner role were other obstacles. hierarchical fragmentation, only one title was Strategies to meet the challenges were: used: . However, assisting and providing continuing education graduates were certified in five branches: to health professionals, networking through medical and surgical, paediatrics, maternal attending international meetings to promote and child, community, and psychiatric and the programme, and conducting research. mental health nursing. It is hoped that APNs There are more challenges to be met. will be valuable health care providers to meet the goal of the National Health Care Reform Although there is much to learn from the and the 9th National Health Development experiences of other countries about Plan. developing the nurse practitioner role, each culture is unique and the most efficient and effective strategies to overcome the News From Malaysia the Clinical Nurse challenges must be determined. Specialist Programme Aini Ahmad, University of Malaya, Malaysia The ultimate goal and main reason for meeting the challenges will always be to Raising the educational level of nursing in provide culturally competent care that is Malaysia has been a long and difficult task. It accessible and acceptable in order to improve took from 1981 to September 1993 to the health and wellness of the people living in convince university officials that a degree Puerto Rico. programme in nursing should be started. University Malaya, being the oldest and This is just the beginning. The best is still to premier university in Malaysia, has taken the come and we will be prepared. initiative to start a three-year nursing degree programme with the emphasis towards 6. Featured Member Activities preparing nurse leaders in management and Promoting Primary Health Care Nursing in education. Most of the graduates are now part Central America, by Aruna Thampy of the workforce of Malaysian healthcare services: as ward manager / / nursing Central American countries, including officer for those who specialised in nursing Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and El management, and as in public Salvador, continue the familiar struggle of or private nursing colleges for those who populations in poverty, and with inadequate opted for teaching. access to basic health care especially in rural areas. Given this situation, nurses in both In 1999, the programme identified the Canada and Central America have come discipline of clinical specialty with the aim of together to teach community workers within preparing the nurse leaders in the clinical

3 the national policy framework to work towards grants, education and clinical practice issues. achieving health for all. This summer, we moved into our new office in Bethesda, Maryland, a suburb of Washington Given the geographic and economic DC. This move will facilitate interactions with challenges, appropriate distributive learning other advanced practice nursing associations, technology is both a viable and practical members of the congress of the United States method to reach large numbers of potential of America, and other health care students in the communities. Nursing faculty organisations. from the Centre for Nursing Studies, St. John’s, Newfoundland/Labrador, together with We have a website www.ncgnp.org and we nursing faculty from the four Central American welcome all advanced practice nurses countries, will work together over the next five interested in to log on. years to develop and implement primary It is also possible to become a member “on health care distributive learning to a number of line” and we welcome you to do that. students in all four countries. Currently, Nicaragua has already commenced the ten- The highlight of the year is in September month programme, and Guatemala is when we have our annual conference and engaged in a prior learning assessment to business meeting. We provide over 30 evaluate learning needs of rural health continuing education units in Gerontological workers in the north of the country and plan to advanced practice nursing, which many use similar technologies by the end of 2004. nurses need to maintain state licence and Feasibility studies are being conducted in national certification. We invite all advanced Honduras and El Salvador. practice nurses to submit papers and research for these conferences. This project also engages in national policy dialogue on the role of the primary health care NCGNP values the important input from our within national health systems. There are colleagues around the world. No one has all broad-based, multi stakeholder discussions on the answers when it comes to caring for the the role of nursing in the health reforms within elderly. By sharing ideas, experiences and each country. research we strive to improve care for the elderly. That is the essence of NCGNP. Primary health care delivery to outlying and rural areas of developing countries, taught by nurses, using appropriate distributive learning 8. Meeting News technologies, is a practical model for other countries. We look forward to sharing our We hope to see you at the 23rd Quadrennial experiences in this project, including our Congress in Taipei, Taiwan, May 21-27, 2005. challenges and successes. It is a much anticipated event, showcasing nursing innovation, new nursing roles and cutting edge research. Early registration 7. Featured Organisation deadline is February 1, 2005. Additional THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF information is available at GERONTOLOGICAL NURSE PRACTITIONERS http://www.icn.ch/congress2005.htm.

M.J. Henderson, President, NCGNP Looking ahead Plan on joining the network at the ICN The National Conference of Gerontological INP/APNN Conference in 2006 to be hosted Nurse Practitioners (NCGNP) was established by DENOSA in the Republic of South Africa. in 1981 by a group of Gerontological Nurse Information will be posted at http://www.icn- Practitioners (GNPs) in the northwestern apnetwork.org. region of the United States of America. They originally met to discuss common interests Communication News and issues affecting Gerontological Nurse We are interested in learning about the Practitioners (GNPs) and to become more advanced practice movement in your country. educated about new nursing science as it Please send information about your progress related to Gerontological advanced practice to [email protected]. nursing.

Since 1981, NCGNP has grown into a full service advanced practice nursing association with a current membership of 1100 NPs. We now welcome all advanced practice nurses who are working with elderly people to become members of NCGNP. We have a six- member elected Board of Directors and an appointed Executive Director. We have several committees working on research

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