A survey aimed at measuring the perception of the guidelines introduced by the decree relating to the activities and skills of the nursing profession (Official Journal of December 24, 2025) highlights good knowledge of the text, an overall favorable reception among nurses, but also high expectations in terms of training, legal clarification and recognition.. Note the marked reservations among doctors and medical students.
This MACSF survey of 890 healthcare professionals (nurses, doctors, students and healthcare executives) was carried out from February 6 to 16, 2026.. Objectives: to know the opinion of nurses and doctors on the orientations mentioned by the decree relating to the activities and skills of the nursing profession (see our article), identify the needs of nurses for a more peaceful exercise in this new framework, evaluate the perception of synergy / cooperation between health professionals.
A known and generally well-received reform
Nearly three-quarters of respondents (75%) say they have heard of the decree of December 24, 2025.
Asked about their overall perception of the directions set out in this text, 54% of respondents have a positive opinion (44% rather positive, 9% very positive), compared to 29% with negative opinions.
Among nurses, this favorable perception is mainly based on four dimensions:
-increased recognition of nursing skills,
-the promotion of one’s own role and clinical reasoning,
-a strengthening of autonomy,
– consistency between regulations and actions already carried out on the ground.
Significant reservations among doctors and medical students
The study reveals significant differences depending on the professions surveyed. Doctors express a more reserved perception, with 47% negative opinions, while 58% of medical students and interns are unfavorable. The main concerns expressed concern
– security of support,
– the adequacy between new missions and level of training,
– a risk of increased errors and ambiguity regarding the attribution of responsibility,
-the risk of complexity of the care pathway.
Majority support for expanding nursing skills
The planned developments receive majority support across the entire sample:
– 74% are in favor of a broader field of competence for nurses,
-70% for direct treatment of certain patients without prior prescription,
-67% to the possibility of requesting additional examinations,
-64% on prescription renewals.
Prescribing medication raises more caution: 47% of respondents are in favor of it, while 50% are against it.
Nurses supportive but awaiting concrete guarantees
If nurses mainly support these developments, they also express strong expectations to practice calmly in this new framework.
When asked about their level of preparation to fully assume these expanded missions, a majority of nurses (59%) say they are somewhat ready or completely ready to assume new responsibilities, particularly those that formalize already common practices. However, a significant proportion (41%) say they do not feel ready. The priority needs identified are:
– additional training (80%),
– legal clarification of responsibilities (77%),
– suitable decision support, traceability and coordination tools (59%),
– an increase in the workforce (49%).
Many comments also mention the need for an increase in the value of actions and salaries, otherwise the new responsibilities are simply perceived as an additional burden.
IPA: a positive dynamic, hampered by persistent obstacles
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a generally positive view of the development of their profession: 80% give a favorable assessment. Furthermore, 89% believe that their role will continue to develop in the coming years. IHowever, they identify several major obstacles:
– insufficient remuneration (97%),
– still insufficient recognition by certain doctors (77%),
– a regulatory framework considered still unclear (63%),
– difficulties integrating into current organizations (60%).
These concerns push some respondents into a mixed or even rather negative perception, even when they are favorable to the principle of developments.
