The independent nurse practitioner. Alive and well and living in rural Saskatchewan

At this point, it is impossible to express analysis of the data collected in concrete terms as the project will not be finalized until October, 1976. It is possible, however, to make some personal observations. Each nurse practitioner has been truly independent in carrying out her role in the community, influenced to a degree by the communities' felt need and the attitudes of other health professionals. All began practice with a heavy emphasis on diagnosis and cure rather than comprehensive care. As time evolves and the nurses feel more confident in their new role, some are continuing a cure orientation, and others are beinning to find that they have a unique dimension to add to health care services. Those who were professional "nurses" in the true sense of the word before the project began have not stopped being nurses, but have only become more competent professionals by recognizing and responding to the health needs of today.