Experience of an advanced practice nurse in an intensive care unit

The intensive care units structure, the technological improvement and the severity of the patients, require that there be harmony between all the actors involved in assisting the critically ill patient. Added to this context is that the current role of the supervisor involves assuming more and more management skills, without losing sight of the need to frame professional practice within the framework of a philosophy of care. Given this challenge for the supervisor, the appearance in our environment of the Advance Practice Nurse figure (APN) is an opportunity. The APN is essential to improving patient care, staff development and the implementation of evidence-based practice.

This article describes how the APN works with the different members of the health team and what the results have been since their incorporation.

The APN leads efforts to maintain quality of care. They use their knowledge to assess gaps in practice and between practice settings, and to design and lead evidence-based practice changes so that benchmarks can be met in the most efficient and timely manner. Additionally, it supports the organization to respond to a constantly changing healthcare environment and is instrumental in achieving its goals.