How well are nurse practitioners prepared for practice: Results of a 2004 questionnaire study.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived preparedness of nurse practitioners (NPs) for practice after completing their basic NP educational programs and to evaluate NPs' perceived preparedness in and their perceived importance of select clinical content areas basic to NP education.


METHODS
This cross-sectional descriptive study used a written questionnaire consisting of 32 items, two of which contained 25 subitems. Subjects were asked to rate their overall level of preparedness when they completed their NP program and both their level of preparation in and the importance of 25 clinical content areas. The questionnaires were administered to attendees at two large national NP conferences in 2004; a total of 562 questionnaires were completed and used in the analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Ten percent of the sample perceived that they were very well prepared for practice as an NP after completing their basic NP education. Fifty-one percent perceived that they were only somewhat or minimally prepared. Current age, years since graduation from an NP program, and age when attending the NP program did not differ significantly for those who felt prepared versus those who did not. For a number of content areas, subjects did not perceive that they were well prepared in the same areas that they perceived were very important.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate that formal NP education is not preparing new NPs to feel ready for practice and suggests several areas where NP educational programs need to be strengthened. Practicing NPs are the basis of the NP profession, and their views need to be sought, listened to, and reflected upon as we advance toward expanded preparation at the doctoral level.
Hart
Ann Marie
AM
Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing, University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming 82071, USA. annmhart@uwyo.edu
Macnee
Carol L
CL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003120:Colorado; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000592:standards; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007397:Internship, Nonmedical; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014959:Wyoming