Development and validation of a uniform job description for advanced practice nurses in Swiss primary care

Background The involvement of advanced practice nurses in Swiss primary care is increasing, although the scope ofpractice has yet to be defined. Currently, no uniform job description exists. The establishment of advanced practice nursesin Swiss primary care therefore faces obstacles, and a standardized job description of this role is urgently needed.Objective This project aimed to develop a uniform job description for advanced practice nurses in Swiss primary careand to validate it in close collaboration with relevant interest groups.Methods A mixed-methods approach was used. Data were gathered from the literature, sounding board consultations,and two focus group discussions. Data were then integrated via triangulation. The project sounding board was invited toquantitatively validate the findings. Data were collected between December 2023 and May 2024. Based on these data,a uniform job description was developed.Results A total of 11 hand-searched job descriptions were examined and merged into a first draft. With the input of sixsounding board members, this draft evolved. Two focus group discussions with advanced practice nurses (group A; n=7) and general practitioners (group B; n= 5) provided substantial input for developing and improving the second draft.The final feedback round of the sounding board led to the final version of the job description, which is divided into fivesubtopics.Conclusion This is the first uniform job description for advanced practice nurses in Swiss primary care. With this jobdescription, role consistency of advanced practice nurses in Swiss primary healthcare can be pursued. In addition, theirscope of practice is delineated. The job description offers role clarification for practice settings as well as a templatethat can be adjusted to individual requirements. Thus, the implementation of advanced practice nurses in Swiss primaryhealthcare is reinforced