Prospects for implementing a new nurse model in capital healthcare: expected effects and possible risks

Increasing the role of nurses is one of the key trends supported by WHO and proven to be effective in many countries. Russia is also moving along this path: the relevant documents have been adopted, an experiment is underway in the pilot regions, and in 2020 further scaling of the new model of the nurse has been announced. The purpose of the study. Analysis of readiness to expand the functions of a nurse. Methodology. Content analysis of the information context dedicated to the implementation of the idea of expanding the functions of nurses; studying the experience in pilot regions; sociological research in the form of a mass survey of nurses and doctors, as well as a series of expert interviews. Results. At the level of an abstract idea, the expansion of the functions of nurses is welcomed by the majority of doctors and experts, but the possibility of its successful implementation in the current conditions raises serious doubts; the same applies to the prospects for achieving the declared goals - increasing the role of nurses and improving the quality of medical care. Discussion. There is both the noticeable interest of the medical community in this issue and the problems of an informational, organizational, technical, socio-psychological nature that can reduce the effect of the reform. Informational gaps or ambiguity in understanding the essence of the innovation by different groups of medical workers, as well as a range of concerns that exist in both the nursing and medical communities, were identified. The functions that can be transferred to nurses, as well as the conditions necessary for this, are considered. Conclusion. A serious professional analysis of the opportunities and risks contained in the new reform is required: various areas of medical activity have their specifics, without which the innovation can cause an acute negative response and a noticeable outflow of nursing staff from the capital’s medical organizations.