Advanced nursing practice--evolution or revolution?

Abstract

This article has been written to challenge the seemingly unquestioning acceptance of changing roles in New Zealand nursing. It is evident in nursing history that a number of issues, such as community versus hospital services and generalist versus specialist practice, tend to resurface in a cyclic manner. Characteristics that are currently associated with 'advanced' nursing roles can be recognised when the origins and development of nursing in New Zealand are traced. This gives rise to speculation that changes to nursing scope of practice are not so much revolutionary as evolutionary, and can perhaps be viewed as a reclaiming rather than a redefining of nursing roles.