Experiences of Advanced Practice Nurses with a clinical postgraduate education program in the context of their professional development

Experiences of Advanced Practice Nurses with a clinical postgraduate education program in the context of their professional development Abstract. Background: The Diploma of Advanced Studies in Advanced Nursing Practice (DAS ANP-plus), which has been offered at the University of Basel since 2012, is a clinically oriented postgraduate education program for the still poorly established professional group of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). The acquisition of clinical skills plays a central role in the professional biography and for the APN's work in patient healthcare. Aim: The qualitative study aims to explore the experiences of APNs during and after a clinically oriented postgraduate education program in Switzerland and what significant changes they experienced in their professional practice. Methods: Reflexive thematic analysis with a constructivist orientation was used. With fourteen APNs, guided interviews were conducted and analyzed considering the professional biography. Results: "Pursuing the vision for a better care" is the constitutive theme. The graduates all seem to be driven by a strong vision: from striving to know more, to implementing the concept of Advanced Nursing Practice, to initiating changes in the healthcare system. The vision is shaped by three themes: "the challenges of gaining a foothold as an APN" before the program, "gaining security by strengthening clinical skills" during the program and on longer terms "breaking new ground in the healthcare system with allies". Conclusions: The DAS ANP-plus increases the clinical skills of APNs within clinical supervision plays an important role.