Nurse-managed primary care: outcomes of a faculty practice network

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Health Services Research
• Primary Care Models

Background:

• Faculty practice networks (FPNs) are crucial for integrating academic missions with clinical service delivery.
• Evaluating FPNs using established guidelines ensures quality and accountability in advanced nursing practice.
• The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) provides a framework for assessing these vital healthcare models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe key outcomes of nurse-managed primary care within a large FPN.
• To evaluate these outcomes using the NONPF's proposed guidelines.
• To demonstrate the viability and impact of faculty practice in primary care settings.

Main Methods:

• Examination of FPN mission and goals alignment.
• Assessment of nursing control and faculty role integration.
• Analysis of fiscal stability, healthcare outcomes, and patient satisfaction.

Main Results:

• The FPN successfully supports the East Tennessee State University College of Nursing's mission.
• Fiscal stability is maintained through earned revenue, grants, and contracts.
• High patient satisfaction and excellent quality of care confirmed by audits.
• FPN serves as a site for nursing student education and faculty scholarly work.

Conclusions:

• Faculty practice models, like this FPN, are effective and sustainable.
• The FPN meets the rigorous evaluation criteria set by national nursing organizations.
• This model significantly contributes to improving the health of vulnerable populations.