Paper
Sunday, November 4, 2007
321
An Analysis of Leadership Roles of Nurse Practitioners
Donna M. Hallas, PhD, APRN, BC, CPNP, Lienhard School of Nursing, Pace University, Pleasantville, NY, USA and Mary Beth Koslap-Petraco, MS, APRN, BC, CPNP, Pediatrics, Department of Health Services Suffolk County, Lindenhurst, NY, USA.
| Learning Objective #1: Describe the leadership roles that nurse practitioners have assumed in clinical practice, education, research, and service organizations. |
| Learning Objective #2: Compare educational preparation of nurse practitioners (NP) to the leadership roles NPs have assumed in a variety of settings. |
Traditionally nurse practitioners (NP) have been educated to enter a variety of clinical practice settings with the primary goal of rendering ‘hands on’ advanced care to clients. However, as the role evolved, nurse practitioners assumed leadership roles not only in clinical practice settings but in other settings as well. This study investigated the leadership roles nursing practitioners have assumed in practice, education, research, and service organizations and whether education in NP programs prepared the NP for these leadership roles. Curricula from selected universities were analyzed to determine the extent to which leadership courses were offered within NP educational programs. Nurse practitioners who have assumed a variety of leadership roles were asked to share their insights concerning the role of the NP as a leader in their particular settings. Nurse practitioners in leadership roles were also asked to reflect on the future leadership roles of NPs whose educational preparation will culminate with a doctorate in nursing practice (DNP) and how this change may influence NP practice and their current leadership roles. A comparison of educational preparation, both formal and informal, to the current leadership roles NPs have assumed today will be highlighted in this discussion. Recommendations for the preparation of nurse practitioners to assume leadership roles throughout their careers will be presented as well as ‘lessons learned’ and ways for NPs to succeed as a leader at local and national levels and as leaders in global health care.