Master of Science (MSc) in Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practicioners)

Organised by the Institute of Higher Education and Research in Healthcare – IUFRS, the aim of the course is to train you to work as an advanced practice nurse (APN), providing direct care to patients and their families, according to your clinical orientation and as part of a nurse-doctor partnership.

The Master of Science in Advanced Nursing Practice (Nurse Practitioners) (MScIPS) is the only course of its kind in Switzerland and prepares students to work as an advanced practice nurse in one of the four following orientations, to be chosen at the time of enrolment:

• Adult care
• Primary care
• Mental health
• Paediatric care

The course allows you to develop fully as an advanced practice nurse:

• either in a hospital
• or in an outpatient setting (nursing homes, home care, etc.

In Canton Vaud, a specific legal framework (Article 124b of the Vaud Public Health Act) gives advanced practice nurses authority to prescribe and interpret medical diagnostic tests, carry out medical procedures and prescribe drugs. You may also provide support to nursing care teams in your area of competence. Finally, you may be involved in developing the health system.

Going on a university exchange is a unique and highly rewarding experience, provided you prepare well. The first thing to remember is that you need to start taking steps well in advance. For example, if you're planning to go away in your 3rd year of a bachelor's degree, you should start taking steps at the beginning of your 2nd year at the latest.