title: Trauma advanced practice nurses: implementing the role.
abstract: The need for advanced practice nurses (APN) has expanded over the past several decades as a result of the changing healthcare environment. Increased patient acuity and decreased resident work hours have lead to a need for additional clinical expertise at the bedside. APNs are becoming an integral part of the acute care delivery team in many trauma programs and intensive care units. To date little has been published regarding the role of the APN in Trauma Centers. This article outlines the wide variety of responsibilities and services provided by a select group of nurse practitioners who work in trauma centers throughout the United States.
authors.affiliation: Martin Trauma Associates, Narberth, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Kathleen D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: Shirley
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Molitor-Kirsch
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Elgart
authors.forename: Daria C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ruffolo
authors.forename: Corinna
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sicoutris
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Meredith
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease / Q000451:nursing; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003406:Credentialing / Q000458:organization & administration; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D012051:Reimbursement Mechanisms; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014193:Trauma Centers; D014194:Traumatology / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States