What is advancing practice?Advancing practice is a level of practice in which a practitioner has demonstrated their ability to work autonomously at a high level (level 7/master’s level) across all four pillars of advancing practice.The four pillarsThe four pillars of advancing practice are clinical practice, leadership and management, education, and research.Advanced clinical practitioners (ACPs) can be found across a range of professional backgrounds and settings. The term ACP is a consensus umbrella term to encompass the wide range of registrants who work in advancing practice roles, often with variable job role titles. Advancing practice may also vary between the devolved nations.TerminologyThe two most commonly used acronyms in advancing practice are ACP and AP. These stand for:ACP or advancing clinical practice/advanced clinical practitioners = roleAP or advancing practice = a level of practiceThere also can be some confusion between the difference of an ACP and consultant.ACPAn A...
