Practice Advanced Nursing Practice
Advanced nursing practice is an umbrella term describing an advanced level of clinical practice that maximizes the use of graduate educational preparation, in-depth nursing knowledge and expertise in meeting the health needs of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations (CNA, 2008).
Advanced nursing practice focuses on clinical practice, whether through a direct relationship with clients or through a supportive and consultative role. Nurse educators, researchers, and administrators must demonstrate competencies in advanced nursing practice and must have clinical practice as a significant part of their role if they are to be considered functioning with advanced nursing practice (CNA, 2008).
Only two advanced practice roles are recognized in Canada today: the clinical nurse specialist and the nurse practitioner.