Advanced Practice Nurse in South Korea and Current Issues

Abstract

In South Korea, advanced practice nursing was introduced in the 1970s to facilitate access to health care. Private hospitals began to employ nurses in advanced roles in the 1990s, and legislation governing advanced practice nurse (APN) education and certification followed in the early 2000s. As of September 2022, there were 16,888 certified APNs. However, there are several impediments to their use, including a lack of clarity regarding the scope of practice and the absence of a medical fee schedule. The resolution of such issues calls for the government to take an active role in establishing a reimbursement system and developing APN staffing regulations.