Titling for advanced practice nurses.
OBJECTIVE
To describe salient discussion points and the recommendations for titling of the advanced practice nurse (APN).


METHODS
Discussion points, professional literature on titling for APNs, and rationale and recommendations generated by conference participants.


RESULTS
The recommendation for a single title--advanced practice nurse--as an umbrella term to include clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners within the Oncology Nursing Society evolved from the desire to facilitate advancement of these roles.


CONCLUSIONS
A common title for all nurses in advanced practice will help them to speak with one voice.


CONCLUSIONS
The existing healthcare environment provides numerous opportunities for APNs. Single titling may produce unity among APNs, provide the ability to speak with a single voice, and result in new opportunities for leadership roles in directing health care for the future.
Hawkins
J W
JW
School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, USA.
Holcombe
J K
JK
D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000193:education; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012956:Societies, Nursing; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States