Registered nurses' perceptions towards advanced practice nursing: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Abstract

To explore registered nurses' perceptions towards the role of advanced practice nurses and to examine registered nurses' interests in becoming advanced practice nurses. Globally, the development and implementation of advanced practice nurses have been deemed propitious. Advanced practice nurses are recruited and developed from the current pool of registered nurses. Empirical research is needed to inform practice on ensuring the sustainability of the advanced practice nurse workforce through the recruitment and development of the current population of registered nurses. A nationwide cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Singapore. Registered nurses from all public health care institutions were surveyed. Respondents (n=1,025) displayed optimism and acceptance towards advanced practice nurses. However, only 30.7% hoped to become advanced practice nurses. Nursing leaders were reported to have a low success rate in identifying registered nurses who were both suitable and interested in the advanced practice nurse role. Registered nurses' positive perspectives towards the role of advanced practice nurses do not translate into interests in the role. The study offers pragmatic applicability in ensuring the sustainability of the advanced practice nurse workforce. Advanced practice nurse-specific residency programmes for pre-master registered nurses may be facilitative to retaining and recruiting registered nurses for the advanced practice nurse workforce.