Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 17, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
The role of the nurse practitioner within the Hospital at Night service
1Ninewells Hospital, NHS Tayside, Dundee.
Abstract:
The Hospital at Night (HaN) service uses a multidisciplinary approach to prioritise the care of acutely ill patients overnight. Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a key role in coordinating this service and provide support to ward-based staff. Despite evidence that HaN can positively impact on patient care, it may be met with scepticism owing to changes in how acutely ill patients are assessed overnight. The aim of this study was to identify the perceptions held by nursing and medical staff on the NP role within HaN. A sample of 46 nurses and 52 doctors in an acute hospital completed questionnaires, which were developed based on components of the nurse practitioner role description. Staff's perceptions were generally similar regarding most role components. However, some variations were identified about components such as patient assessment and teaching. Scheduled education sessions can potentially increase staff awareness of NP roles and improve staff collaboration around patients' care overnight.
Related Concept Videos
Hospitals-II
Nurses that work in hospitals have...
Specialized Care Centers and Settings-II
Rural health centers are specialized care facilities in remote locations with very few medical personnel. The primary care providers who run the centers are mostly Registered Nurse Practitioners. Here, emergency treatment is provided to critically ill or injured patients before they are transferred to the closest hospital. Fortunately, due to advancement in technology, many rural healthcare facilities and professionals have easy access to diagnostic and treatment...
Planning Nursing Care I
Interdisciplinary Care: The Health Care Team-I
Physicians
The physician's primary responsibility is to diagnose illness and direct the medical or surgical treatment of the condition. The authority to admit patients to a healthcare agency or institution and practice care within that setting is granted to physicians by the healthcare agency or institution itself.
The Professional Nurse
Communication skills: These are critical characteristics, especially speaking and listening.
Aims Of Nursing