Nahari Ahmed, Moafa Hamza, Almotairy Monir M, Hakamy Essa, Alhamed Arwa, Alkhaifi Sarah, Aljohani Thana
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Department of Community and Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing, College of Nursing, King Saud University, P.O. Box 642, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
BMC Nurs. 2025 May 12;24(1):510. doi: 10.1186/s12912-025-03137-2.
The role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in Saudi Arabia is undergoing rapid evolution owing to the rising demand and shortage of healthcare providers. However, little is known about the lived experiences of NPs working in the Saudi healthcare system. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the lived experiences of NPs working in the Saudi healthcare system.
A phenomenological approach with a purposive sampling technique was utilized to recruit self-identified NPs. Data were collected from ten NPs between June 2022 and December 2024 via semi-structured interviews. Participants were asked to describe their lived experiences as NPs in Saudi Arabia. Thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke's framework was conducted.
The following five key themes emerged from the analysis: "self-description as an NP"; "challenges for NPs Working in Saudi Arabia"; "experiences with patients, families, and healthcare providers"; "facilitators of the NP role implementation"; and "future of the NP role in Saudi Arabia." Participants described themselves as specialized based on their experience or education, advanced training, having a postgraduate degree or board certification, or practicing independently. Their experiences were influenced by challenges such as lack of professional classification and scope of practice for NPs, lack of leadership support, lack of community awareness, and unfair pay. Their experiences with patients were characterized with unfamiliarity followed by acceptance and trust. Some registered nurses were resistant toward NPs whereas others were supportive and collaborative. Physicians were mostly supportive and demanding of NPs in their teams. A standardized scope of practice, having prior clinical experience, receiving structured training, and fair pay perceived as facilitators. Participants viewed the future of NPs in Saudi Arabia as promising and progressing toward the right direction.
Participants demonstrated a consistent professional identity, grounded in advanced education and specialized training. However, their experiences were shaped with challenges. Despite the identified challenges, the optimism surrounding the future of NPs reflects a broader recognition of its potential to enhance patient care in the context of Saudi Vision 2030. Establishing clear regulatory frameworks, ensuring fair compensation, and fostering interprofessional collaboration will be key to implementing the role of NPs in Saudi Arabia.
由于医疗服务提供者的需求不断增加且供应短缺，沙特阿拉伯执业护士（NP）的角色正在迅速演变。然而，对于在沙特医疗系统中工作的执业护士的生活经历知之甚少。因此，本研究旨在探索在沙特医疗系统中工作的执业护士的生活经历。
采用现象学方法和目的抽样技术招募自我认定的执业护士。2022年6月至2024年12月期间，通过半结构化访谈从10名执业护士收集数据。参与者被要求描述他们在沙特阿拉伯作为执业护士的生活经历。按照布劳恩和克拉克的框架进行了主题分析。
分析得出以下五个关键主题：“作为执业护士的自我描述”；“在沙特阿拉伯工作的执业护士面临的挑战”；“与患者、家庭和医疗服务提供者的经历”；“执业护士角色实施的促进因素”；以及“沙特阿拉伯执业护士角色的未来”。参与者根据他们的经验或教育、进阶培训、拥有研究生学位或委员会认证或独立执业将自己描述为专业人员。他们的经历受到诸如执业护士缺乏专业分类和执业范围、缺乏领导支持、缺乏社区意识以及薪酬不公等挑战的影响。他们与患者的经历特点是从不熟悉到接受和信任。一些注册护士对执业护士有抵触情绪，而另一些则支持并合作。医生大多支持并对其团队中的执业护士有要求。标准化的执业范围、有临床经验、接受结构化培训以及公平薪酬被视为促进因素。参与者认为沙特阿拉伯执业护士的未来充满希望且朝着正确方向发展。
参与者展现出基于高等教育和专业培训的一致职业身份。然而，他们的经历受到挑战的影响。尽管存在已确定的挑战，但围绕执业护士未来的乐观情绪反映出对其在沙特2030年愿景背景下提升患者护理潜力的更广泛认可。建立明确的监管框架、确保公平薪酬以及促进跨专业合作将是在沙特阿拉伯实施执业护士角色的关键。
