임상전문간호사 운영 현황 및 역할 조사 = A Suvey on the Role and Present State of Advanced Practice Nurses in Korea

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Purpose: In this study, we investigated hospitals in Korea that comprised more than 400 beds and attempted to understand the present state of Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs and below) from 11 different fields (Diabetic education, Wound-Ostomy, Neurology, Neonatal, Cardiovascular, Oncology, Emergency, Organ-transplantation, Renal, Critical care, and Hospice). We also compared and determined the time spent on the role of each nurse from each field and the frequency of implementation for each work activity. Method: This study was conducted from July 2002 to May 2003. Data from 299 nurses that responded to the survey from 57 hospitals were analyzed with descriptive statistics, chi-square test and t-test using SPSS 10.0 program. Result: Out of 299 nurses that responded, 137 nurses from 35 hospitals were officially appointed as advanced practice nurses and assumed the duties of advanced nursing practice. The remainder of the nurses were not suitable to be classified as APNs. From the fields of neurology, cardiovascular and oncology, 25~31 APNs were found respectively, amounting up 63% in total. No APNs were found in the fields of critical care and renal. Mean percentage of time spent on each role was 42.8% for direct practice, 27.7% for education, 13.2% for consultation and coordination, 8.9% for research and 6.5% for administration. Amongst the work activities of all APNs, the activities that were most frequently implemented included reading of examination results, psychosocial assessment, consultation and education for the patients and their families, managing treatment, writing up patient records, history taking, consultation for nursing staff, physical examination and triage. Although not frequently performed, nurses in some fields carried out invasive procedures and prescribed medications or tests. Conclusion: Although the number of APNs are rapidly increasing in hospitals, there is yet confusion with regards to the title and classification of APNs, as well as the distribution of roles. Thus, there is an urgent need to establish a systematic framework as well as standards. Furthermore, because some nurses are prescribing medication for patients as well as performing techniques not traditionally handled by nurses, there is an absolute need for a legalized and systematic education system for the safety of patients who are being cared for by these nurses as well as all APNs.