Overseas experience of the neonatal nurse practitioner role: Lessons for Australia
Anne Robson
Associate Nurse Unit Manager, Special Care Nursery, Sunshine Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Beverley Copnell
Senior Research Assistant, School of Postgraduate Nursing, University of Melbourne, VIC
Linda Johnston
Associate Professor of Evidence Based Infant, Child and Adolescent Nursing, Royal Children's Hospital; University of Melbourne, VIC
Denise Harrison
Clinical Nurse Educator, Neonatal Unit, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Anita Wilson
Clinical Nurse Educator, Neonatal Services, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Louisa Ramudu
Nurse Unit Manager, Special Care Nursery, Northern Hospital, Melbourne VIC
Caroline Mulcahy
Divisional Director (Nursing), Neonatal Services, Women's and Children's Health, Melbourne VIC
Geraldine McDonnell
Coordinator of Nursing Recruitment, Women's and Children's Health, Melbourne VIC
Christine Best
Director of Nursing, Acute Health, Bendigo Health Care Group, VIC
PP: 009 - 023
Abstract
The Nurse Practitioner role is currently being implemented in most Australian states. This model of practice has existed overseas, predominantly in North America, for many years. The experiences of those countries can help inform the implementation of the role in Australia.
This paper reviews the overseas literature concerning one practice context, that of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner. The scope of the role, issues surrounding educational preparation, impact of the role on health outcomes, and factors identified as facilitating and constraining the role, are all discussed. The implications for the Australian context are highlighted.
Keywords
nurse practitioner; advanced practice; neonatal nursing
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