Bridging the gap: How investing in advanced practice nurses could transform emergency care in Africa.

Publisher: Blackwell Science Ltd Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 7808754 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1466-7657 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00208132 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int Nurs Rev Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Oxford, UK : Blackwell Science Ltd.
Original Publication: Geneva, International Council of Nurses.

Advanced Practice Nursing*/education ; Nurse's Role*; Humans ; Africa ; Emergency Nursing/education ; Emergency Medical Services/organization & administration

Aim: This paper aims to highlight the vital importance of investing in advanced practice nursing (APN) for enhancing emergency care throughout Africa.
Background: APN's role is increasingly recognized as pivotal in optimizing healthcare, particularly in emergency settings in Africa. It offers improved patient care quality and strengthens the healthcare workforce.
Sources of Evidence: Evidence is drawn from successful implementations of APN in various healthcare environments. This includes the development of APN-specific curricula and training, mentorship initiatives, clinical supervision, and defining advanced nursing roles within healthcare organizations. Investing in APNs in emergency care in Africa can lead to improved quality and access to care, cost-effectiveness, enhanced patient outcomes and satisfaction, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement in the healthcare workforce.
Discussion: Despite facing barriers in implementation, APN in emergency care presents innovative solutions. Investing in APN can help healthcare entities and policymakers surmount these challenges, providing specialized patient care and improving health outcomes. The discussion emphasizes the benefits such as enhanced access to care, reduced healthcare costs, and improved patient outcomes, alongside bolstering the healthcare workforce.
Conclusion: The necessity and benefits of investing in APN for emergency care in Africa are clear. It is crucial for improving healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Implications for Nursing Practice: APN investment leads to a more competent and efficient nursing workforce, capable of addressing complex emergencies and improving patient care.
Implications for Nursing Policy and Health/social Policy: The paper advocates for policies that support APN development and integration into the healthcare system, emphasizing the need for research to assess APN's long-term impact and establish best practices for its implementation in emergency care across Africa.
(© 2024 The Authors. International Nursing Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Council of Nurses.)

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Keywords: APN curriculum and training; Advanced practice nursing; Africa; African countries; clinical supervision; emergency care; healthcare policy in Africa; healthcare workforce development; mentorship in nursing

Date Created: 20240413 Date Completed: 20240529 Latest Revision: 20240529

20240529

10.1111/inr.12966

38613148