Challenges and strategies for initiating a nursing facility practice.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a summary analysis of five case reports describing the challenges and strategies of nurse practitioners' (NPs') first-year experiences on initiating an effective role in a nursing facility practice.


METHODS
Original qualitative research analyzing written journals of five NPs and written notes from two loosely structured group discussions among project participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Two broad themes emerged: Figuring it Out and Responding/Getting a Handle on Things. Common sense and good resources were identified as critical.


CONCLUSIONS
Strategies to promote ease of role transition are essential for NPs in the nursing facility. Further, in addition to a focus on care of frail older adults, emphasis on the culture of and strategies for nursing facility visits, ethical issues, and ethical decision making are important components of NP educational programs.
Bonnel
W
W
University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA. wbonnel@kumc.edu
Belt
J
J
Hill
D
D
Wiggins
S
S
Ohm
R
R
D002322:Career Mobility; D005853:Geriatrics; D006123:Group Practice; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011361:Professional Competence; D012866:Skilled Nursing Facilities; D000078329:Workforce