Theory-Informed Strategies to Guide Policy, Practice, Education and Research About Registered Nurses in Primary Care

Many primary care leaders remain unclear about how to embed registered nurses (RNs) into primary care practices. This paper identifies theoretical groundwork and measurement strategies to expand primary care RN roles. We facilitated deliberative dialogue, including breakout sessions, with a target audience of 68 participants from primary care research, policy and clinical organizations. Discussion was recorded and analyzed until themes emerged. Results illuminated challenges with inconsistent titles, lack of competencies and difficulties measuring RN contributions. Theoretical frameworks (e.g., Donabedian's model and the co-management model) and effective measurement strategies may best inform practice, policy and research to enhance RN roles in primary care.