Dimensions of the transition service coordinator role.
OBJECTIVE
This article describes the development and implementation of an innovative advanced practice role, as a transition service coordinator for nurses who work with adolescents with special healthcare needs. Transition services for adolescents with special healthcare needs is an area of growing clinical need requiring that all healthcare professionals, including advanced practice nurses develop new clinical knowledge and skills to practice effectively.


CONCLUSIONS
This emerging specialty area will require advanced practice nurses to provide direct services blending both pediatric and adult healthcare needs and to function in advanced practice roles such as case managers who can ensure the coordination of services between these two very different systems of care while promoting the youth's acquisition of goals for adulthood. This nursing role was first created to provide and coordinate transition services to youth seen in a piloted clinic titled Creating Healthy Futures.


CONCLUSIONS
This article describes the various components of this nursing role that incorporated the advanced practice dimensions of clinical expert, consultant, change agent, leader, researcher, and educator that can be replicated in other clinical settings.
Betz
Cecily L
CL
University of Southern California Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Children's Hospital, Los Angeles, USA.
Redcay
Gay
G
D000293:Adolescent; D016497:Adolescent Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D010346:Patient Care Management / Q000458:organization & administration*