Advanced practice nurses: starting an independent practice

Contractual issues for faculty practice

Contracts are a common foundation for faculty practice relationships between a college of nursing and other agencies. Although the legal format of a contract is relatively standardized, the process of contracting entails decisions and issues that increase its complexity. Little is available in the faculty practice literature that addresses contracts and contractual issues as a comprehensive whole. This article contains discussions of nursing faculty practice contractual issues such as the elements of a contract as a framework, including competent parties, offer, consideration, and acceptance. Evaluation of contract performance is addressed and alternatives for decision making and problem resolutions are suggested throughout. J Prof Nurs 17:173-179, 2001.

Advanced practice nursing: parameters for successful integration

This article analyzes advanced practice nursing roles through a literature review and a pilot stakeholder survey in relation to five strategic areas: (1) definitions and scope of practice; (2) education, credentialing and regulation; (3) new roles in healthcare; (4) costs and benefits in health reform; and (5) implementation and relationships. The Canadian health services environment is best served by a multifaceted APN role, defined by a nursing paradigm that invokes collaborative relationships with physicians, and education and credentialing that is based on national standardization.

The business management preceptorship within the nurse practitioner program

Changes in health care reimbursement practices have affected the way in which primary health care is provided. To be successful, nurse practitioners must have a proficient understanding of basic business functions, including accounting, finance, economics, marketing, and reimbursement practices. Yet, many graduates of nurse practitioner programs are not adequately prepared to make fundamental business decisions. Therefore, it is essential that nurse practitioner faculty provide learning experiences on primary practice business. Because the preceptor experience is an integral aspect of nurse practitioner education, a business preceptorship provides students with pragmatic knowledge of the clinical practice within a business framework. The University of Indianapolis School of Nursing offers a nurse practitioner business preceptorship. The implementation, challenges, and positive outcomes of the course are discussed in this article.