Patterns of practice: Master's prepared nurse practitioners.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Primary Care Practice
• Healthcare Workforce Analysis

Background:

• The University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing's Primary Care-Family Nurse Clinician Program aims to train advanced practice nurses.
• Ongoing evaluation is crucial for assessing the effectiveness and impact of graduate-level nursing programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the scope of practice among graduates of the Primary Care-Family Nurse Clinician Program.
• To understand the career paths and roles undertaken by program alumni.

Main Methods:

• A survey was administered to graduates of the Primary Care-Family Nurse Clinician Program.
• Data collection focused on current professional activities and practice settings.

Main Results:

• The majority of surveyed graduates are actively involved in direct patient care.
• A significant portion of alumni are engaged in primary care education or related professional activities.
• Graduates routinely perform patient assessment, education, and counseling as part of their practice.

Conclusions:

• Graduates of the Primary Care-Family Nurse Clinician Program are effectively utilizing their skills in diverse primary care roles.
• The program successfully prepares nurses for direct patient care, education, and collaborative practice within healthcare teams.