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The Nurse Practitioner in Acute and Specialty Care (1082 hits)

Frontline Providers in Acute Care

Hello. My name is Sharon Irving. I am one of 400 nurse practitioners (NPs) here at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP).

NPs are advanced practice nurses who hold a minimum of a master's degree. Some have a doctorate in nursing practice, but many, including myself, have earned a PhD. Although historically NPs have been viewed as frontline primary care providers, over the years the role has expanded, and we are now in specialty practices. There is a growing presence of NPs as frontline providers in the acute care environment.

At CHOP, NPs play a vital role in many areas of the hospital, primarily in specialty care and in acute care. Many of our programs and even some of our units are led by NPs. These include the diabetes center, the seasonal stay unit, and the progressive care unit, all of which are examples of how CHOP continues to lead and set new standards for incorporating the NP role into the healthcare delivery model. The role of the NP is 3-pronged, and it includes clinical practice, education, and research.

For many NPs, clinical practice is the foundation that supports both education and research. As an NP, I work collaboratively with physician colleagues to care for patients in the pediatric intensive care and progressive care units. There are no limitations on the types of patients or the degree of illness of patients that I can manage. Clinical practice as an NP reaches far beyond providing hands-on care to patients and their families. It also includes clinical education, and departmental and hospital committee involvement.

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/817995