How has Advanced Practice Nursing Influenced the Nursing Profession in Canada?

The Special Focus on Advanced Practice Nursing in Canada, published in the Canadian Journal of Nursing Leadership (http://www.longwoods.com/publications/nursing-leadership/24885), highlights the unique contributions that advanced practice nurses (APNs) have added to meet the demands of the evolving Canadian healthcare system. Drs. Martin-Misener and Bryant-Lukosius should be commended for their vision as editors of this Special Issue of CJNL, and profiling some excellent work that has occurred across the country in this field of research. In light of this Special Issue, this commentary is written to offer some reflections upon how APNs (i.e., nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists) have influenced the nursing profession more broadly within the Canadian context.