Nursing is Kazakhstan is undergoing a significant transformation in the scope of practice within Primary Health Care Centers of Excellence. This transformation aims to improve the delivery of primary health care services and enhance patient outcomes leading journey to achive "Health for All".
Purpose. This study aims to analyze current scope of practice of Primary Health Care (PHC) nurses in Kazakhstan and their role in delivering holistic comprehensive care, as well as their engagement in community empowerment.
Methods. We used cross sectional observational method to collect data from 20 PHC team nurses in Taraz city polyclinic №5 and 24 PHC team nurses in Taraz city polyclinic №2, using survey on actual scope of practice and employee empowerment scale.
Results. The role of PHC nurses in care coordination and communication is vital, although there is room for improvement in collaborative care planning. Additionally, patient education and counseling are integral components of the practice, and the nursing specialists of the Centers of Best Practice PHC actively implement them, but there is a need to expand mental health counseling. Strengthening nurses' capacity for independent practice could optimize patient care within primary care settings. The MIOMOS project has had a notable impact on nurse empowerment and leadership development among PHC nurses, fostering positive change within primary healthcare settings.
Conclusion. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into various facets of PHC nursing practice, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement. Furthermore, it emphasizes the significance of strengthening teamwork, enhancing care coordination efforts, expanding patient education initiatives, empowering nurses for independent practice, and leveraging quality improvement projects like MIOMOS to advance the delivery of high-quality primary healthcare services.
Keywords: Primary healthcare nursing, empowerment, leadership, person-centered care, nurse's Scope of Practice.