Nurse Practitioner-Led Community Urgent Care Services: Actions to Support Growth

Area of Science:

• Healthcare delivery models
• Nursing practice
• Community health services

Background:

• The demand for accessible and effective acute and urgent care services is increasing in local communities.
• Nurse practitioners (NPs) are increasingly recognized for their potential to address healthcare gaps.
• Developing sustainable models for NP-led care is essential for modern healthcare systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in delivering acute and urgent care models within local communities.
• To inform the development of NP-led services as a sustainable and effective healthcare solution.
• To identify key factors influencing the successful implementation of NP-led acute and urgent care.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative multicase study was conducted.
• Data were collected through 20 semistructured interviews with NPs, clinic managers, and general practitioners across seven NP-led clinics in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• Thematic analysis of interview data was integrated with clinic-level operational data.

Main Results:

• Five key themes emerged: meeting community needs, the development of NP-led acute care services, the integration of NPs within the healthcare team, the importance of training and support systems, and the need for supporting junior NPs.
• NP-led services effectively address community healthcare needs.
• Robust training and support systems are vital for NP role development and retention.

Conclusions:

• Nurse practitioners are integral to delivering effective acute and urgent care in communities.
• Increased awareness of the NP role and prioritization of community needs are essential.
• Strengthening training and support structures at both workforce and clinic levels will foster the growth of NP-led care.