Advanced practice nursing in Estonia: role of the National nurses union in achieving success

Estonia regained independence in 1991. In 1996, higher education for nurses was initiated, and a need for specialization appeared. By 2000, the development of specialization in nursing had become systematic, each stage consisting in a literature review, questionnaires for obtaining feedback from practicians, interviews based on the outcomes and the establishment of working groups. Representatives from the whole field were engaged – academic staff, nursing managers, nurses from clinical settings, other specialized nursing organizations, the Ministry of Social Affairs, the Estonian…