The management of advanced practitioner preparation: A work-based challenge

Livesley, J; Waters, K; Tarbuck, P

Abstract

Aims This paper explores the collaborative development of a Master's level
advanced practice programme in the context of the radical reform and remodelling
of the UK's National Health Service. Some of the educational, managerial and
practice challenges are discussed.
Background Changes to education and training in response to key strategic reviews
undertaken by the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (North West
of England) established a need to develop nurses and allied health care practitioners
to advanced practitioner level. This paper considers how employers, commissioners
and educationalists worked together to produce a Master's level programme to
prepare nurses and other health care practitioners for sustainable advanced practice
roles.
Key issues Developing innovative and effective curricula to meet the needs of post
graduate students from varied backgrounds preparing to practice in different contexts
with different client groups is challenging. However, the development of
individual learning pathways and work-based learning ensures that the student's
work and intended advanced practice role remains at the centre of their learning.
Analysis of each student's knowledge and skill deficits alongside an analysis of the
organization's readiness to support them as qualified advanced practitioners (APs) is
instrumental in ensuring that organizations are ready to support practitioners in
new roles.
Conclusion Work-based learning and collaboration between students, employers
and higher education institutions can be used to enable managers and students to
unravel the network of factors which affect advanced practice in health and
social care. Additionally, collaborative working can help to create opportunities to
develop strategies that will facilitate change.
Implications for nursing management Sustainable change concerned with the
introduction of advanced practitioner roles present a real challenge for managers
at a strategic and operational level. Commissioning flexible, collaborative and
service-led educational programmes can assist in ensuring that change is sustainable
and produce practitioners who are fit for practice, purpose and award.

Citation

Livesley, J., Waters, K., & Tarbuck, P. (2009). The management of advanced practitioner preparation: A work-based challenge. Journal of Nursing Management, 17(5), 584-593. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2009.00967.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2009
• Deposit Date: May 13, 2011
• Journal: Journal of Nursing Management
• Print ISSN: 0966-0429
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 17
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 584-593
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2009.00967.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2834.2009.00967.x