title: Evaluating the performance of the APN.
abstract: Evaluation is the process of delineating, obtaining, and providing useful information for judging decision-making alternatives. This article presents several models of evaluation and reviews the application of those models to advanced practice nursing. A comprehensive evaluation plan is necessary to gather data concerning the APN's performance, quality of provided service, and outcomes of those receiving the service in terms of health status, cost, and efficiency. In assessing any health care provider's effectiveness, one must, at a minimum, determine the provider's ability to deliver quality care at a reasonable cost to a significant portion of the general population or particular group.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: K E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nugent
authors.forename: V A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Lambert
mesh_terms: D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods*