An evaluation of a community aged care nurse practitioner service.
OBJECTIVE
An evaluation is presented that aimed to augment current understandings of the nurse practitioner role by investigating potential outcomes of a community aged care nurse practitioner (ACNP) service on clients and the health care team.


BACKGROUND
In Australia, the nurse practitioner role is being implemented in a variety of health care settings and is characterized by extended practice: prescribing of medications, requests for diagnostic investigations, referral to medical specialists and admitting clients to inpatient facilities.


METHODS
An exploratory qualitative evaluation method through data collection by interview and thematic analysis was undertaken.


METHODS
All clients referred to the ACNP service between June and August 2003, and a convenience sample of health professionals, were invited to participate in individual semi-structured interviews.


RESULTS
Findings suggested that an ACNP could provide a high quality of holistic nursing care and positively affect clients' physical and psychological symptom management, enhance clients' quality of life, assist with supplies, provide health education and assist with advocacy. Health professionals commented on effective collaboration with the ACNP service during their partnerships in client care provision.


CONCLUSIONS
Overall, the positive effects of the ACNP service on clients and the health care team support the full implementation of the role within the community setting.


CONCLUSIONS
Funding support for the nurse practitioner role is a vital addition to consideration in the development of international policy on advanced practice nursing. Without adequate funding, the full benefits of the nurse practitioner role in clinical practice, as suggested by the findings presented in this evaluation, will be compromised.
Allen
Jacqueline
J
Royal District Nursing Service, Helen Macpherson Smith Institute of Community Health, St Kilda, Victoria, Australia. jallen@rdns.com.au
Fabri
Anne Marie
AM
D000368:Aged; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000592:standards*; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D009722:Nurse Practitioners; D014739:Victoria