Lizanne Hamilton Smith

Share on Get full access to this article View all available purchase options and get full access to this article. References Aronowitz T, Aronowitz S, Mardin-Small J, Kim B. Using objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) as education in advanced practice registered nursing education. J Prof Nurs. 2017;33(2):119–125. Boursicot K, Roberts T, Burdick W. Structured assessments of clinical competence. In: Swanwick T (ed). Understanding medical education: evidence, theory and practice.

Advanced practitioners (APs) come from a range of professional backgrounds, such as nursing, physiotherapy, pharmacy and paramedicine (Scottish Government, 2021; Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), 2022; NHS England, 2025). Advanced practice in the UK reflects a level of practice, rather than a specialty, and is based on four pillars of practice. In Scotland these are: clinical practice, leadership, facilitation of learning and evidence, and research and development (Henderson, 2021).