Objectives: The aim was to explore and describe the role and activities of the Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENPs) working in the Emergency Department (ED). Design/Method: A Snapshot survey was used. A checklist outlining the ENP activities was compiled and data were collected over a three month period. Descriptive analyses were conducted. Results: A total of 24 checklists were returned (19% response). The ENPs worked Monday to Sunday and a variety of 8, 9 or 10 hour shifts. Most shifts started from 7am, with a few shifts commencing in the afternoon. Nearly half (n¼10, 42%) of shifts concluded later than scheduled. ENPs mainly treated patients with non-urgent care needs in the Fast Track area of ED. Patient diagnoses (n¼188) were recorded, with the majority (n¼71, 38%) classified as orthopaedic, general ailments; minor illnesses (n¼43, 23%); and ophthalmology (n¼28, 15%). Activities included a variety of direct and in-direct care. The ENP's conducted a total of 197 consultations, ranging between 4 and 11 consultations per shift. Consultations included teaching (n¼29, 15%) or coaching (n¼2, 1%), and procedures (n¼87, 44%), such as suturing, wound reviews/dressings, removal of stiches, removal of foreign bodies from various parts of the body, and eye assessments. Indirect care activities included investigations (n¼80, 41%), referrals (n¼77, 39%) and telephone consults (n¼12, 6%) along with written and electronic documentation. Most of the ENP clients were patients, but the ENP also consulted with nursing staff (n¼6, 3%), medical staff (n¼2, 1%) and/or next-of-kin (n¼4, 2%). Conclusion/Recommendations: The ENP practiced autonomously, with no physician involvement in consultations however they had limited clinical exposure to other ED presentations due to staff shortages. Further investigation into the role of the ENP should follow as they have a much wider scope of practice and were underutilised in this survey.
