Advanced practice: do we know what it is?

The UKCC has proposed the development of an advanced practitioner role. The role is equated with master's and doctorate level of preparation. The development of the advanced practitioner role is outlined. The assumption that the nursing profession understands the term advanced practice is challenged. It is not possible to make explicit the role of the advanced practitioner unless nursing knowledge is used as its foundation. Two basic questions have yet to be answered: What is advanced practice? What is an advanced practitioner?