Evidence of advanced practice hours
How do I evidence my advanced practice hours?
AHPRA defines advanced practice as:
… where nurses incorporate professional leadership, education, research and support of systems into their practice. Their practice includes relevant expertise, critical thinking, complex decision-making, autonomous practice and is effective and safe. They work within a generalist or specialist context and they are responsible and accountable in managing people who have complex healthcare requirements. Advanced practice in nursing is demonstrated by a level of practice and not by a job title or level of remuneration. Advanced practice for the purpose of the nurse practitioner endorsement requires 5,000 hours clinically-based advanced practice in the past six years.
Applicants to the Monash University: Master of Nurse Practitioner need to clearly evidence in their CV under the following sub-headings, how they meet the requirements of advanced practice. It is appropriate that the applicant addresses each of the areas in dot point.
- Research
- Education
- Leadership
- Support of systems
Below are definitions of each of the defined areas of practice and examples of activities that can demonstrate achievement. Applicants need to clearly articulate their own achievements in their CV under these sub-headings.
Research
Activities that support a culture of inquiry and innovative problem solving to improve health outcomes and health care delivery systems. This includes conducting clinical research and translating evidence into clinical practice and policy development.
Evidence of meeting requirements in this area may include:
- Evidence of active participation in research projects
- Publications
- Active participation/ leadership regarding quality audits
- Translating evidence into clinical practice and policy development
- Leads investigations to monitor and improve the quality of patient care practices
- Recommends policy changes when integrating theory into practice
Education
Activities that contribute to improving health literacy and to supporting self-management of illness. Activities also develop and educate self and others across the health care community.
Evidence of meeting requirements in this area may include:
- Advocates for and contributes to a culture of continuous professional development and evidence-based practice
- Identifies learning needs of various populations and contributes to the development of education programs/resources
- Demonstrates active involvement in the development of educational activities at a regional or broader level
- Participates in the delivery of postgraduate education programs
- Demonstrates reflective practice and develops this practice in others
- Conducts in-service education for senior nurses/ junior doctors/ management
- Evaluate education programs and recommend revision
- Serve as a clinical preceptor for other nurses/medical doctors
- Identify learning needs of various populations and contribute to the development of educational resources
- Serves as an informal educator to staff whilst providing direct care activities
- Provides patient and family education
Clinical Leadership
Activities that promote sharing and dissemination of knowledge, promote the profession and disseminate nursing knowledge. Demonstrate leadership in the role of consultant within and external to the profession and across health care settings.
Evidence of meeting requirements in this area may include:
- Demonstrates high-level communication skills in disseminating nursing knowledge through presentations or publication at local, regional, national or international levels
- Serves as a resource or committee member in a professional organisation
- Demonstrates professional judgement and leadership in managing clinical care in complex clinical environments or across multiple service or patient populations
- Evaluating or initiating new patient services
- Initiating or introducing new clinical practices
- Clinical practice guidelines development, review and implementation
Support of systems
Activities that contribute to the optimal performance of health systems including advocacy and mentorship, developing and implementing innovative models of care and improving access to high quality health care and health outcomes
Evidence of meeting requirements in this area may include:
- Contribute to, consult or collaborate with other health care personnel on recruitment and retention activities
- Participant in strategic planning for the service, department or hospital
- Provide direction for and participate in unit/service quality improvement programs
- Provide leadership in the development, implementation, and evaluation of standards of practice, policies and procedures
- Serve as a mentor
- Serve as a spokesperson for nursing and the health facility when interacting with other professionals, patients, families and the public
- Demonstrates leadership in strategic planning for the service, department or hospital
- Manages complex projects or leads projects relating to significant practice change within the service or organisation
- Develops and undertakes quality activities to advocate for and demonstrate the contribution of advanced nursing practice roles to the healthcare team and the health system more broadly