"One of us": Exploring the Nurse Practitioner role within a surgical hospital in New Zealand

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Today’s health sector faces the challenge of providing high quality care within the constraints of increasing costs and reducing resources. Patient and consultant expectations have grown, exposing a need for advanced nursing skills and care in an environment where, in most small to medium sized private hospitals, nurses are often the only clinical staff on site. To meet these challenges our private surgical hospital introduced Nurse Practitioners (NP's). While informal feedback from patients and consultants has confirmed that the role is highly beneficial, there has been no formal review on the implementation or effectiveness of the role.

PURPOSE: The aim of this research is to explore the Nurse Practitioner role within the private hospital by providing a description of NP role; identifying the impact on pre and postoperative care; and by identifying how the NP provides leadership in their role.

METHODS: We used a mixed methods approach where data was collected concurrently and analysed separately. Quantitative data was collected through a patient satisfaction survey and nurse practitioner activity log. Qualitative data was collected through semi-structured focus groups and interviews involving management, nurses and consultant doctors.

KEY LEARNING OR RESULTS: Initial findings and themes that have emerged indicate the NP is an integral part of the patient journey. The NP provides timely assessment and intervention and often acts as an interface between patients, family, registered nurses and specialist doctors. The nurse practitioner is seen by ward nurses as “one of us”, with management and doctors indicating they feel “secure’ knowing that a NP is in attendance when they may not be there.

CONCLUSION: This presentation will present final findings once data has been fully analysed and triangulated.

SIGNIFICANCE: The research has the potential to influence the development of similar NP roles within the private healthcare setting.