ROLE OF THE NURSE PRACTITIONER

The purpose of this paper is to examine the basic role (general tasks, duties, responsibilities, educational requirements, etc.) of the nurse practitioner through an extensive review of the literature. The paper closes with a discussion of the implications of the examined literature for the future of the nursing profession.

In their discussion of the contemporary health care system, Lancaster and Lancaster (1992) point out that the federal government has sought to improve access to health care by supporting the education and employment of non-physician health care providers, one of which is the nurse practitioner or NP. According to the authors, the nurse practitioner, in addition to performing his or her standard nursing duties, performs functions that were previously accorded solely to physicians. NPs, however, are not substitutes for physicians; rather, they function as part of a collaborative health care team to fulfill several job functions.

Basic Role and Job Functions of the Nurse Pr

. . .
nd as nurses have become assertive, autonomous, and accountable. Based on the reviewed material, it was pointed out that on an individual level, physicians and nurses now entering collaborative relationships are generally successful at minimizing the obstacles of turf and territoriality as well as at managing practice boundaries. However, it was also stated that both the NP and the physician need to consciously examine their patterns of communication. These patterns are said, depending upon their nature, to effect clinical interaction styles that either maintain unequal/hierarchical relationships, or more egalitarian relationships. Studies of interprofessional communication, including style of clinical interaction, conflict resolution, use of humor, and negotiation, were said to contribute support for nurses and physicians in resolving disputes and maintaining good collaborative relationships. Specifically, relationships were said to be more egalitarian and cordial when physicians and nurse practitioners were able to resolve their conflicts, examined events with a sense of humor and were willing to negotiate. Taylor-Seehafer (1998) also reported that there needs to be ongoing research into the collaborative relationship betwe
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Approximate Word count = 2522
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page)

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