The definition of advanced registered nurse used to underpin
the ANF Standards is not limited to those authorized
to practice within an extended scope. All elements
can be expressed within the registered nurse scope, with
advanced practice achieved through a program of education
and reflective practice. The consciously developed
and maintained attribute of advanced practice allows utilization
of the full registered nurse scope.
The report states that the issue of where specialty practice
sits in relation to advanced practice is not clear. In
Australia and overseas, the terms advanced, specialist,
and expert practice are often used interchangeably and
thus lack clarity in practice (ANF, 2005). The definition
of advanced practice in the Competency Standards for the advanced
registered nurse does not solely pertain to the practice
of an NP alone as refers to advance within a nursing
scope of practice. It is not based on a practice position
designation/role such as Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
or Clinical Nurse Consultant.