Objectives of the HKAN
The HKAN aims at regulating practices of advanced practice nurses to safeguard the society's right to receive safe and quality health care services. We define advanced practice nurses as those who work both independently and in collaboration with other health care professionals to provide a wide range of advanced assessment and specialized interventions in response to the actual and potential health needs of the individual, group or family. Their practice encompasses the continuum of health promotion and maintenance, disease prevention and management. Advanced nursing practice will continue to evolve in response to changing societal and health care needs.
The HKAN is an independent institution with the statutory power to organise, monitor, assess and accredit all nursing specialist training and to oversee the provision of continuing nursing specialist education. It would be appropriate to establish the HKAN for Specialty Register under the amended Nurses Registration Ordinance Chapter 164.
Specifically, the objectives of the HKAN are:
For the public
- to protect the public by regulating standards of advanced nursing practice;
- to educate the public regarding the value of professional nursing specialization; and
- to promote the improvement of health care for Hong Kong citizens.
For nursing professional development
- to promote the advancement of the art and science of nursing;
- to promote integrity, ethical conduct and standards in the practice of advanced nursing and its specialties;
- to foster the development of advanced practice nursing education in specialty areas; and
- to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in nursing and matters concerning the nursing profession.
The HKAN will take an active role in the health-care provision in Hong Kong through its involvement in the postgraduate training of nurses, and through its advice to the HKSAR on matters related to health and health regulations. The HKAN strives to serve the Community of Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the World.