Advanced nursing practice in Europe A mixed-methods study

Background. In the international arena, the role of the advanced practice nurse (APN) has emerged due to changes in the healthcare system and patient needs. Thereby, there is a lack of Europe-wide overviews regarding master's level nursing programmes, which form the educational-theoretical basis of advanced nursing practice (ANP). In order to provide insight into nursing education at the master's level, the aim of this study is to create an inventory of the current study programme situation in Europe. Methods. In a sequential mixed-methods study, master's programmes in nursing in Europe were identified. Data from these were collected by means of an online questionnaire survey, then analysed descriptively and by content analysis. Results. A total of 391 master's degree programmes in nursing in 32 European countries were identified. The content, focus and scope of the study programmes vary considerably. The data show both a tendency towards further development of the study programmes and an increased need for ANP and its political relevance. Discussion. The different political and legal circumstances, as well as different educational systems in the respective countries, result in considerable differences in the training of ANPs. Conclusions. There is a need for action in the direction of Europe-wide educational standards and regulations in order to be able to build up educational-theoretical core elements at the master's level with regard to the APN role.