Clinical career pathways of Registered Nurses and the implementation of Nurse Practitioner Roles: Enhancing productivity and workforce sustainability in the health and social care sector

We examine the current role of Nurse Practitioners

Duration of the project

1.1.2026 – 31.12.2027

Source of funding

The Finnish Work Environment Fund

Total funding

99 000 €

The Nurse Practitioner role supports the delivery of high-quality and effective health services, the appropriate utilisation of professional competencies and resources, and nurses’ job satisfaction and retention. At the national level, the role is not yet fully established due to the absence of structured implementation models. The project focuses on the examination and further development of the Nurse Practitioner role. Within the project, a model for the systematic development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nurse Practitioner role will be designed for wellbeing services counties.

The role of the Nurse Practitioner supports the provision of high-quality and effective health services, the appropriate use of expertise and resources, as well as nurses’ job satisfaction and professional commitment. Nationally, the role is still not well established due to the lack of implementation models. This project focuses on researching and further developing the Nurse Practitioner’s role. The project aims to develop a model for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nurse Practitioner’s role within the wellbeing services counties.

Health care systems around the world are undergoing major transformation due to population ageing, the increase in chronic diseases, workforce shortages, and rising costs. Addressing these challenges requires new workforce and role structures that make more systematic use of nurses’ advanced competencies. In Finland, the ongoing social and health care reform provides a timely opportunity to develop advanced nursing practice (APN) positions with extended responsibilities and to strengthen the role of the Nurse Practitioner (NP) within the service system of the wellbeing services counties.

The aim of the research project is to develop and establish the Nurse Practitioner’s role as part of the multidisciplinary service structure in the wellbeing services counties of the Western Coast. The goal is to improve the quality, accessibility, and effectiveness of care, and enhance the productivity of social and health services by utilizing the advanced clinical expertise of Nurse Practitioners. At the same time, the project supports the development of clinical career paths for nurses and strengthens the attractiveness and retention of the nursing profession.

In advanced clinical practice, the Nurse Practitioner delivers holistic patient assessment, treatment, and continuity of care, guided by autonomous clinical decision-making. The research project will produce a nationally applicable model for the development, implementation, and evaluation of the Nurse Practitioner’s role. This model will support the introduction, evaluation, and long-term establishment of the role across the wellbeing services counties. It will also clarify the Nurse Practitioner’s position in relation to other health professionals, promote appropriate allocation of tasks, and strengthen interprofessional collaboration.