Advanced practice nursing in the care of the high-risk infant

Advanced practice nursing encompasses a range of roles and services. Tertiary care settings such as neonatal intensive care units provide a variety of opportunities for the advanced practice nurse, including direct care, case management, and developmental care. Primary care and community settings may also provide opportunities for advanced practice nursing in the care of high-risk infants. Challenges related to role implementation, control of practice, and reimbursement also exist, however. The article examines the evolution of advanced practice nursing in the care of the high-risk infant as well as current opportunities and challenges.