Don’t forget the leadership in advanced practice

Although the advanced practice role primarily focuses on delivering the clinical aspects of patient care, the other pillars of advanced practice (research, education and leadership/management) should not be overlooked as they are key to the success of the advanced practice role. Interestingly, the International Council of Nursing definition of nurse practitioners includes the importance of certain characteristics, ‘expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies’, but does not include the other pillars of advanced practice (International Council of Nurses, 2020).