Welcome to the General Practice Nursing (GPN) Framework information page.
General practice nurses (GPNs) are integral and essential core members of the general practice multi-disciplinary team. The GPN Knowledge and Skill Framework describes the knowledge and skills required by GPNs in Scotland. The framework can be used by individuals developing their current and future practice; organisations reviewing or developing their services for their local populations; and educators supporting achievement of knowledge and skills. The GPN knowledge and skills framework supports the refreshed Transforming Roles Paper 6: The role of the General Practice Nurses (Scottish Government 2025).
GPN Development Framework Overview
General Practice Nurse (GPN) Knowledge and Skills Framework
The General Practice Nurse (GPN) Knowledge and Skills Framework focuses on the role of the GPN in Scotland. It is aligned to, and includes, generic content from the Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions (NMAHP) Development Framework (NHS Education for Scotland 2023).
The GPN framework should be read in conjunction with a refreshed paper titled “Transforming Roles Paper 6: The Role of the General Practice Nurse - 2025 Review and Refresh” (Scottish Government 2025).
The intended outcome and impact of the framework:
- Describing the knowledge and skills required by GPNs within general practice in Scotland. The framework can be used by individuals developing their current and future practice; organisations reviewing or developing their services for their local populations; and educators supporting achievement of knowledge and skills.
- Enabling current and aspiring GPNs to benchmark their existing knowledge and skills and plan their career development at the same level of practice or in promoted positions.
- Supporting recruitment and succession planning as general practices can use the framework to help define the knowledge and skills required for current and future services.
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General Practice Nursing Knowledge and Skills Framework. The aim of this framework is to assist in identifying, planning and meeting learning needs, identifying career pathways and enhancing workforce planning for general practice nursing.
Explore the Framework in Action
To make it easier to visualise and understand the levels, roles and responsibilities described in the framework we have created a series of short, informative videos featuring GPNs.
These videos showcase each level of the framework, offering real life examples of GPN roles and responsibilities, skills, and key education undertaken.
Whether you are in training or looking to advance your career, these videos will provide valuable insights into the role of GPNs at each level of the framework.
Level 5 Practitioner
In this short video Linda McCardy describes her role as a Level 5 GPN.
For more information about Level 5 practice go to p.24 of the framework.
Level 6 Senior/Specialist/Enhanced Practitioner
In these short videos Danielle Rennie and Andrew Brown describe their roles as Level 6 GPNs and their career journeys.
For more information about Level 6 practice go to p.31 of the framework.
Level 7 Advanced Practitioner
In these short videos Aileen Marsh and Julie Goldie describe their Level 7 GPN roles and their career journeys.
For more information about Level 7 practice go to p. 41 of the framework.
Transforming Roles Links
Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)
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This document shows the results of the 2025 Learning Needs Analysis (LNA)
Supporting Resources
Here you can find a variety of resources to help you stay informed, support your development and engagement with the GPN Framework
General practice nursing (GPN) | NHS Education for Scotland
for information about funded university modules
this includes a Development Needs analysis Tool (DNAT)
General Practice Nursing | Scotland Deanery
for CPD learning resources
Reflective Template GPN knowledge and skills framework
to help reflect on your current job role and to identify areas where you may benefit from further training, education and development to enhance or develop in your current role and to or to support progress in your career.
Webinar Sessions
Here you will find the presentation and the recordings from the 3 webinars held in February and March. The recordings have been edited into sections so that you can choose to listen to relevant parts as appropriate or choose to access the full webinar.
- Introduction - Jane Harris
- Introducing Transforming Roles Refreshed GPN Role - Kathy Kenmuir and Caitlin Byrne
- GPN Knowledge and Skills Framework 2025 - Ann Rae
- Discussing the Development and Value of the GPN Role - Susan Hunt
- Discussing the GPN Role - Maureen Fagan
- Discussing the Refreshed Role of the GPN and Progressing the Role - Andrea Davidson
- LNA and Closing Remarks - Jane Harris
- GPN Framework Webinar Presentation ( Download, 3 MB)
