Practice patterns of acute care nurse practitioners

Area of Science:

• Nursing Practice
• Healthcare Administration

Background:

• Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly integrated into acute care.
• Understanding NP practice patterns is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the practice patterns of nurse practitioners in Ontario's acute care settings.
• To identify variations in scope of practice, guiding models, reporting structures, and role implementation.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive research design was employed.
• Quantitative and qualitative data collection methods were utilized.

Main Results:

• Significant variation exists in NP practice patterns regarding scope, guiding models, reporting lines, and role implementation.
• The clinical component, including advanced nursing and medical functions, was the most frequently performed aspect of the NP role.
• NPs emphasized collaborative practice, clarifying they do not work in isolation or replace physicians.

Conclusions:

• Nurse practitioner roles in Ontario acute care are diverse and multifaceted.
• The findings highlight the significant contribution of NPs to clinical practice within the healthcare team.
• Further research can explore strategies to standardize and optimize NP role implementation across acute care settings.