Global bridges for nursing workforce development: Advancing advanced practice registered nurses in Brazil

ABSTRACT

Global trends have recognized the expansion of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) models as a strategic approach to enhancing health care accessibility, equity, and patient outcomes. Brazil faces significant challenges in institutionalizing APRN roles, including the lack of approval for APRN education at the master’s level, lacking regulatory support, and a prevailing medical culture. This article evaluates the Global Exchange Program (GEP) as a collaborative platform to strengthen the development and integration of APRNs in Brazil. The GEP is a 5-day immersive educational program that provides structured exposure to APRN education, curricular frameworks, and clinical practice in the United States while fostering sustained dialogue on contextually appropriate pathways for APRN development in Brazil. The program evaluation used an online survey with open-ended questions to assess participants' experiences in the GEP and its influence on APRN development in Brazil. Data were analyzed using qualitative descriptive method and thematic analysis revealed six central themes: (1) positive experiences, (2) cultural awareness, (3) networking opportunities, (4) implementation of advanced practices, (5) educational value, and (6) supportive environments. Participants, mainly Brazilian nursing faculty and key stakeholders, indicated that the program enhanced their professional insights, highlighting the importance of cultural competency and advanced nursing strategies. The GEP promotes reciprocal learning and contextual adaptation. Using the GEP model may enable other engagement with international stakeholders, facilitate discussions on tailored APRN model implementation, and provide experiential learning that enhances understanding and advances global adoption of APRN practices.