Leadership and management for nurses working at an advanced level

Abstract

Leadership and management form a key part of advanced clinical practice (ACP) and work in synergy with the other pillars of advanced practice. Advanced clinical practitioners focus on improving patient outcomes, and with application of evidence-based practice, using extended and expanded skills, they can provide cost-effective care. They are equipped with skills and knowledge, allowing for the expansion of their scope of practice by performing at an advanced level to assist in meeting the needs of people across all healthcare settings and can shape healthcare reform. Advanced practice can be described as a level of practice, rather than a type of practice. There are four leadership domains of advanced nursing practice: clinical leadership, professional leadership, health system leadership and health policy leadership, each requiring a specific skill set, but with some overlaps. All nurses should demonstrate their leadership competencies—collectively as a profession and individually in all settings where they practice.