The recent implementation in Spain of post degree in nursing has made possible the emergence of new advanced profiles, which direct clinical practice is the core competence.
Objective: To analyse and clarify the term of direct clinical practice.
Methodology: A conceptual analysis was carried out based on Rogers's evolutionary approach. A review of the literature was made in the following data bases: PubMed, CINAHL, ISI Web of Knowledge, Psych INFO (Ovid) and Cochrane Library. Furthermore, five books about advanced practice nursing were revised.
Results: 7 articles and 4 books based on the inclusion criteria were selected. After their analysis the concept of direct clinical practice is defined.
Conclusions: This paper clarifies the concept of direct clinical practice and helps to have a stronger base of knowledge. This will serve as foundation to improve and perfect the conceptualization of this term.