Assessing successful entry into nurse practitioner practice: a literature review

Nurse practitioners (NPs) have been the subjects of many studies focused on role performance, cost effectiveness, and acceptance in clinical practice. As part of a study to compare successful entry of NP program graduates from various backgrounds into NP practice, a review of the literature was performed. This literature review focuses on research studies that examine successful entry into NP practice by seasoned registered nurses as well as by non-nurse college graduates who have no prior nursing experience. The topical areas that emerged from the literature were educational background and experience as a registered nurse, socialization into practice, transition into NP practice, and evaluation measures of successful NP practice. The results of the literature review revealed the need for further work on assessment of successful entry into NP practice.