| Abstract [eng] |
Justė Karbauskytė. Master's Thesis: Opportunities for Improving Competencies of Advanced Practice Nurses. Thesis Supervisor: Professor Natalja Istomina, Doctor of Health Sciences. Thesis advisor: Assistant Viktorija Kielė. Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing. Vilnius, 2025; 85 pages. Introduction. This master's thesis analyses the opportunities for improving the competencies of advanced practice nurses in Lithuania. In response to the growing demands of the healthcare sector and the continuous need for professional knowledge updating, the study aims to examine the current opportunities and challenges in the development of competencies for advanced practice nurses. The aim of the research. To identify the opportunities for developing nursing competencies for advanced practice nurses. Research objectives:1)To determine the awareness of advanced practice nurses about professional competence development opportunities;2)To identify the needs and expectations of advanced practice nurses concerning competence development opportunities;3)To analyse opportunities offered by higher education institutions in relation to the needs of advanced practice nursing professionals. Materials and Methods. A qualitative research design was chosen for the study – a semi-structured interview. The interview questions were formulated based on a review of scientific literature. Each participant gave verbal consent to take part in the study. Ethical principles were ensured throughout the research process. The responses were analysed using inductive content analysis. The study was conducted between November and December 2024 and involved 10 advanced practice nurses. Results. Participants face challenges in developing their competencies. They often seek information about development opportunities through informal sources – internet, social media, and colleagues' experience. The content of training often fails to meet their professional needs. The main development needs appear in mental health, emergency care, intensive care, as well as communication and team management, where specialized courses are required. Participants face a lack of time, finances, and access, especially in regional areas. It was also noted that the status of advanced practice nurses is not clearly defined or recognized within the healthcare system, while international experience is seen as a key source of professional growth. Conclusions. In Lithuania, advanced practice nurses mostly obtain information about development opportunities from informal sources. Most training programs do not meet specific professional needs, and advanced practice nurses face barriers related to time, financial constraints, and accessibility. Competency development is closely tied to personal growth, but there is a lack of organizational support. The lack of professional recognition and greater visibility in the healthcare system was also identified as an important expectation for advanced practice nurses. |
