Advanced practice nursing implementation strategies in hospital: a review of the literature

Objective: To analyse the factors of success and the obstacles to implementation of advanced practice nursing in the French health system. Methods: Review of the international literature concerning implementation of advanced practice nursing published between 2010 and 2016. Results: Of the 503 articles reviewed, 14 were included in this analysis, which showed that obstacles to implementation can be potentially transformed into advantages. Only one guideline was identified, the PEPPA (Participatory, Evidence-based, Patient focused process for Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) role development). Four factors of successful implementation and evaluation of advanced practice nursing were identified: involvement of medical and paramedical personnel, supervisor and material support from administrative authorities, implementation of policies and regulation mechanisms and postgraduate university training. Conclusion: Implementation of advanced practice nursing in France should take into account the PEPPA guidelines used in Canada, in order to promote the success of these new roles in clinical practice.