ling to individuals, families, and groups in the area of health promotion and maintenance.
In general, Pastorino (1998) states, nurse practitioners are advanced practice nurses (APNs) whose basic job function is to provide primary and acute care to individuals in many settings. The NP diagnoses and treats medical and surgical conditions that require acute, short-term management and/or chronic, long-term treatment. The practice, Pastorino (1998) points out, is not uniform in that states vary in regulating processes regarding collaborative agreements, prescriptive authority, medical staff privileges, and insurance/third party reimbursement.
Insight into the essential role of the NP is provided in research conducted by Robert-Davis, Nolan, Read and Gilbert (1998) who examined the parameters of competencies required for the role of NP as part of a project funded by the government. The study consisted of an extensive literature review and interviews held with 49 key informants; collected data were used to revise a typology of Domains of Innovative Nursing Roles which the authors had constructed.
Findings were said to show that, in general, the role of the NP is basically a composite of both specialist and advanced practice. Further analysis indicated that although current preparation for a specialist role would meet many of the outcomes perceived necessary to prepare individuals for the NP role, something 'extra' was seen as a prerequisite for the NP. It is suggested, therefore, that there is a strong case for considering the NP role in terms of 'specialist plus', and that this typology can be helpful in considering the major emphasis within NP roles.
Parker, Jacobson and Coulter (1994) explored the professional role of NPs using a qualitative study in which observations were made of five Health Maintenance Organizations and four Multi-Specialty Group Practices. Site visits lasted between two to four days during which the re...