A mixed method approach to exploring advanced nurse practitioners' knowledge of the biosciences, and its use for patient care

Method

A convergent mixed method design was used. Data was collected in three parallel phases: a systematic scoping review, bioscience questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. The systematic review yielded 15 papers, the bioscience questionnaire returned 138 responses, and 15 ANPs were interviewed.

Thematic synthesis explored qualified nurses’ knowledge of the biosciences, while descriptive and inferential statistics established ANPs’ bioscience knowledge levels and their associated factors. A reflexive thematic analysis approach provided deeper insights into ANPs’ experience and perspectives on bioscience knowledge and its use for patient care.</p><p dir="ltr">Results: Overall, ANPs’ level of bioscience knowledge was relatively low, influenced by clinical context, lack of bioscience education, lack of opportunity, lack of autonomy, lack of time and fear of litigation.

Perceived valuable learning sources included CPD, self-learning, learning from doctors, and experience. Bioscience knowledge was valued for safe practice, clinical credibility and for teaching purposes, but some could get by without it, relying more on support from more senior colleagues, patient data, guidelines, and tacit knowledge for making complex decisions.</p><p dir="ltr">Discussion and conclusions: The results reflect the longstanding concerns about bioscience knowledge levels of nurses.

They suggest that little progress has been made, raising further concerns about whether ANPs’ bioscience knowledge is sufficient for their roles.</p>