Supporting Role Knowledge and Role Transition in Neonatal APRN Students

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) play a critical role in alleviating provider shortages and expanding access to health care services for medically underserved populations. To meet these shortages, the APRN workforce is growing faster than the average for all occupations. This creates a critical need for effective transitioning from the role of student to APRN provider. Unfortunately, transitioning to the APRN role is not seamless and role confusion or challenges in role exposition can contribute to job stress and even role exodus. A recent quality improvement project supported student understanding of APRN roles and anticipation of role transition challenges for neonatal students preparing for roles as nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist. This strategy has the potential to contribute to successful role transition of neonatal nurse practitioner and neonatal clinical nurse specialist students.