Nature of Advanced and Specialized PracticeIntroductionIn our life today, we see progress in various fields. Likewise, nursing is a holistic profession where many changes have occurred. Throughout the history of nursing, it is professionalization that has been a driving force for change (Barker. M, 2009 p20). From Nightingale's period to recent nursing, nursing practices have progressed greatly. In the United Kingdom, barriers to advanced nursing practice have decreased over the past 20 years thanks to legislative reforms that have swept the country (Pearson, 2004). Advanced practice and the role of specialist practice have emerged in many parts of the world and educational standards have also been set for these practices. The advanced practice role seems to capture the interest of nurses because it allows them to act autonomously and it has extended well beyond their expectations for example: writing prescriptions, etc. (Vampola and Levine, 2005). This essay will focus on the nature of advanced and specialized practice. The roles of clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP) were previously conflated. Today, these roles are identified as distinct and separate training programs have been established for these roles (Hamric and Hanson, 2009). Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) / The Nurse Practitioner (NP) role is defined as a registered nurse who has specialized knowledge, experience, mastery, capable of making clinical decisions independently, acting with competence, characteristics are shaped by its environment in which it is accredited to practice (CII, 2002). Hamric (2005), conceptualizes advanced nursing practice as the application of a broader range of practices, theories, and research to the phenomena experienced by patients with...... middle of article.... .. Advanced Nursing Practice: An Integrative Approach, Fourth Edition, Elseviser Saunders, USA• McGee P. and Castledine G. (2003) Advanced Nursing Practice, Second Edition, Blackwell Publishing, Oxford• National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (2004) ) Statement on the practice and training of clinical nurse specialists. Harrisburg, PA: Author.• Nursing and Midwifery Council (2005) NMC Consultation on a Proposed Framework for the Post-Registration Nursing Standard. London• Pearson, L. (2004) Sixteenth Annual Legislative Update: What is each state's position on legislative issues affecting advanced nursing practice? The Nurse Practitioner, 29 (1), 26-51.• Schober M. and Affara F. (2006) International Council of Nurses: Advanced Nursing Practice, Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Oxford.• Vampola, D and Levine, J. (2005 ) Clinical excellence for nurse practitioner, 9(1),