This course explains what advanced clinical practice means in England, the four pillars of the multi-professional framework, and the main routes into an advanced practice role, including trainee posts with an accredited master's programme and the ePortfolio (supported) route. It helps nurses, midwives and allied health professionals judge their readiness and plan their next steps realistically.
What you will learn
- Define advanced practice using the Multi-professional framework for advanced practice in England and describe its four pillars.
- Compare the main routes into advanced practice, including trainee roles with an accredited master's programme and the ePortfolio (supported) route.
- Assess your own experience against the four pillars and identify gaps.
- Explain the supervision, governance and employer support that a trainee advanced practitioner needs.
- Plan practical next steps towards an advanced practice role in your profession and setting.
Course content
- What advanced practice is (3 min)
- Routes into advanced practice (3 min)
- Are you ready? Self-assessment against the pillars (2 min)
- Supervision and governance (4 min)
- Applying for a trainee post (3 min)
- Case study: two practitioners, two routes (2 min)
- Planning your next steps (1 min)
- Knowledge check (10 questions, 10 min)
- Guided reflection (15 min)
Standards and guidance covered
- NHS England Centre for Advancing Practice: Multi-professional framework for advanced practice in England (Edition 2025)
- NMC: The Code (2015, updated 2018), including practising within the limits of your competence
- HCPC: Standards of conduct, performance and ethics (2024) and Standards of proficiency for each profession
- Workplace supervision for advanced clinical practice (Health Education England, now NHS England)
- Royal Pharmaceutical Society: A Competency Framework for all Prescribers, for practitioners who also prescribe
Certificate
Courses are free to study. When you pass the knowledge check (80%) and complete your reflection, you can buy a verified certificate showing your CPD time, with a unique ID and QR code that anyone can check on our verification page.
Study free at your own pace on any device.
Practitioner Insight is an independent education provider. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by the GMC, MPTS, NMC, HCPC, GPhC or any NHS organisation, and this information is not legal advice. If you have been referred to a regulator, speak to your defence organisation, trade union or legal representative.