Specialty nursing council: a coalition of advanced practice nurses

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are often isolated within their specialty area, placing unnecessary limits on their range of influence and making professional networking more difficult. Networking and sharing of information are critical to developing a broadened perspective. As APNs become more systems and program oriented, a strong affiliation base must be maintained. How a group of APNs in one hospital developed a coalition to decrease the isolation gap, promote sharing of information and encourage cohesiveness is discussed in this article. The process of moving from the rather narrowed perspective of individual practice to the concept of group unity and collaboration is explored.