Abstract
The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the development of expert nurse education at the Swedish Polytechnic (SYH) in Finland. The education is comparable to the international Nurse Practitioner education.
SYH has received project funding from the Ministry of Education in order to develop the expert nursing role in Ostrobothnia. A steering group was formed in order to discuss and develop the role of the expert nurse, as well as the contents of the education pro gramme. During 2004, national research and education curricula have been outlined within the project framework. Regional outlines concerning the demand and role of expert nurses have also been made. The regional outline comprised one questionnaire (n=42) aimed at head nurses and doctors as well as nine focus group interviews with specialised nurses (n=46). The results of the outlines reveal that there is a demand within nursing organisations for expert nurses within many areas, particularly within acute health issues as well as within the treatment and follow-up of chronic diseases. The active engagement and co-operation of the steering group, within the Thematic European Nursing Network, have made it possible to develop and initiate a specialised education for expert nurses.