Solutions
A nationally consistent, legal, fair, and equitable process
for endorsement as an NP in Australia requires the
following:
Changing the requirement for and associated definition
of ”advanced practice nursing” to advanced
nursing practice in the NMBA Endorsement of NPs
registration standard.
Removal of the term ”extended” from the NMBA
definition of ”advanced nursing practice” in the
above-mentioned standard to be consistent with
the definition in the ANF Competency Standards for
the Advanced Registered Nurse.
Acknowledgement of time spent by registered
nurses in advanced nursing practice more broadly,
rather than in an advanced nursing practice role.
The focus should be on the level at which the individual
nurse is, and has been practicing, rather than
the level of practice of their current role.
Removal of the arbitrary reference to 3 years fulltime
equivalent required in an advanced practice
nursing role. In order to be eligible for endorsement
as an NP, the registered nurse should be required
to demonstrate the advanced level at which
they have been practicing (advanced nursing practice)
and how long they have been doing this, not
the length of time they have been employed in an
advanced nursing practice role.