Overseas experience of the neonatal nurse practitioner role: Lessons for Australia

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.

Master’s programs in advanced nursing practice: new strategies to enhance course design for subspecialty training in neonatology and pediatrics

“…The UK APNP role is also well recognized, but has been established for a much shorter time, so the role is in a much earlier stage of development 10. The implementation of advanced nursing practice roles in both Australia11 and New Zealand12 in the late 1990s involved careful evaluation of overseas experience, especially in North America. The potential benefits for pediatric and neonatal critical care have been identified 13,14.…”