Development of the role of an Advanced Practice Nurse in the long-term care of elderly people in Switzerland

Due to the imminent demographic surge of older people, many suffering from multiple chronic diseases and age-related health problems, the demand for professional nursing care will increase massively over the coming decades. However, the demand for qualified nursing personnel in long-term healthcare is already outpacing the supply. Without a change of course, this can only lead to a crisis of quality. Experiences, e.g. from the U.S., have shown that masters-prepared Advanced Practice Nurses (APN) facilitate quality improvement in the long-term care of elderly people. With their focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and clinical results, they support the development of the institutions they work with and of gerontological nursing in general. This article describes the development of Advanced Nursing Practice in three gerontological long-term care facilities in Switzerland's German speaking region on the basis of practice development projects advancing the assessment and management of pain. APNs' defined competencies serve as a framework to evaluate the implementation of their roles: working in clinical leadership projects, they support interdisciplinary collaboration, focusing on direct clinical practice, the development of evidence-based nursing care, and the expert guidance of nurses. The role of APN in stationary long-term care in Switzerland has considerable potential for development.