Malaysia needs these advanced practice nurses

AS International Nurses Day approaches on Sunday, it’s time to shine a light on an essential advancement in healthcare that Malaysia urgently needs to implement: the role of advanced practice nurses (APNs). This significant move would not only validate the crucial role nurses play in our healthcare system but also bring Malaysia in line with regional peers like Singapore and Thailand.

Known in Malay as a “jururawat pakar”, an APN is a registered nurse who has attained a higher level of expertise and a broader scope of practice. An APN can be a clinical nurse specialist, nurse practitioner, nurse anaesthetist and nurse midwife. They can diagnose medical conditions, prescribe medication, and implement treatment plans independently.