Validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire: A national survey

Abstract

Aim: To describe psychometric validation of the newly developed Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire.

Design: Cross-sectional quantitative study.

Methods: The development of the questionnaire followed an adapted version of the seven steps described in the guide by the Association for Medical Education in Europe. A nationwide online survey tested the construct and structural validity and internal consistency using an exploratory factor analysis, Cronbach's alpha coefficient and a Kruskal-Wallis test to compare the hypotheses.

Results: We received 222 questionnaires between January and September 2020. The factor analysis produced a seven-factor solution as suggested in Hamric's model. However, not all item loadings aligned with the framework's competencies. Cronbach's alpha of factors ranged between .795 and .879. The analysis confirmed the construct validity of the Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire. The tool was able to discriminate the competencies of guidance and coaching, direct clinical practice and leadership across the three advanced practice nurse roles clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner or blended role.

Conclusion: A precise assessment of advanced practice nurse tasks is crucial in clinical practice and in research as it may be a basis for further refinement, implementation and evaluation of roles.

Impact: The Advanced Practice Nurse Task Questionnaire is the first valid tool to assess tasks according to Hamric's model of competencies independently of the role or the setting. Additionally, it distinguishes the most common advanced practice nurse roles according to the degree of tasks in direct clinical practice and leadership. The tool may be applied in various countries, independent of the degree of implementation and understanding of advanced nursing practice.

Reporting method: The STARD 2015 guideline was used to report the study.

Patient or public contribution: No patient or public contribution.

Keywords: advanced practice nursing; clinical nurse specialist; cross-sectional survey; nurse practitioner; nursing; nursing research; psychometric validation; reliability and validity; statistical factor analysis.