Advanced nursing practice in nurse-led inflammatory bowel disease support service

Abstract

This project examines the experiences of patients who have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) through an integrative literature review. The human science approach of phenomenology and Watson’s Caring Theory (2006) serve as the philosophical and theoretical perspectives of this project and are integrated into a framework for ANP within the context of IBD. The framework is further supported by an examination of best practices in nurse-led support programs with an emphasis on chronic disease. My ultimate goal in developing this ANP framework in an IBD support program was to establish the scope and parameters of my ANP role and to incorporate best practices that will positively impact the patients’ experiences of illness, healing, and health.