The evolving role of the acute care nurse practitioner in critical care

The newest nurse practitioner role is the acute care nurse practitioner. This paper presents the latest data on the role from both a US and international perspective.

Now present in the USA for at least 15 years, the acute care nurse practitioner role has become well established in critical care settings and is moving into international healthcare. The few outcome studies conducted to date demonstrate the acute care nurse practitioner provides quality patient and family care, improves patient satisfaction, is cost effective, and is an answer to the hospital's shortage of medical residents with new restrictions on working hours.

The role of acute care nurse practitioners in critical care is increasing worldwide. Most countries are experimenting with this latest nurse practitioner as an extended-role healthcare provider with many potential benefits to patients and their families, as well as the healthcare system.