RN to FNP: A Qualitative Study of Role Transition

Abstract

Registered nurses who return to school in a nurse practitioner program undergo role transition throughout the educational process and into the postgraduate period. This study examined the role transition that occurs in family nurse practitioner (FNP) students. A descriptive, qualitative design was used with in-depth telephone interviews of 9 female FNPs who had recently graduated. A conceptual model was generated that described the role transition from RN to FNP. Two phases of role transition occurred and were depicted by the central categories that emerged: extrinsic obstacles, intrinsic obstacles, turbulence, positive extrinsic forces, positive intrinsic forces, and role development. Although the central categories were found to be the same in Phase I and Phase II, the defining characteristics differed. This study has implications for FNPs, students, and educators regarding role transition. It presents new findings not identified in prior research: personal commitments and sacrifices were identified as specific obstacles encountered during the educational process, and differences were found between inexperienced and experienced RNs in relation to the FNP role transition during the educational period.

Medical acceptance of the nurse practitioner role in Australia: A decade on

“…The notion of transition in any context is a dynamic process requiring periods of adjustment, development, and change (Chang, Gardner, Duffield, & Ramis, 2010;Heitz, Steiner, & Burman, 2004). The transition of NPs and advanced practice nurses is influenced by many factors, including educational preparation, nursing knowledge and skills, personal and professional expectations, support from the interprofessional healthcare team, personal attributes, and interpersonal relationships (Fleming & Carberry, 2011;Sullivan-Bentz et al, 2010).…”

Driven by Ambitions: The Nurse Practitioner's Role Transition in Dutch Hospital Care

“…Brown and Olshansky (1997) described the first years of practice of primary care NP graduates as a process, in which a crisis in confidence and competence associated with taking on a new position may lead to anxiety. Kelly and Mathews (2001) and Heitz, Steiner, and Burman (2004) described similar findings for NPs working in hospitals and for family NPs, respectively. Taking on a new role can be seen as a transition with profound changes in role relationships, expectations, and abilities.…”

Nurse practitioner role transition: A concept analysis

“…These subcategories were incremental in nature and emphasized the complex issues involved during transition (Brown & Olshansky, 1997). Brown and Draye (2003) and Heitz, Steiner, and Burman (2004) reported that some NPs experienced initial resistance to their roles by physicians and other nurses. These NPs felt betrayed and isolated as they had left traditional nursing for their new role.…”