[Task analysis of the job description of gerontological nurse practitioners based on DACUM].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to develop and to analyze the task of gerontological nurse practitioners (GNPs) in Korea.


METHODS
The definition of GNP and job description was developed based on developing a curriculum (DACUM) by 7 panels who have experienced in DACUM analysis and gerontological nursing. One hundred sixty nurses who were working at long term care facilities were participated. The questionnaire included frequency, importance, and difficulty of duties, tasks, and task elements. The data were collected in November 2006, analyzed by descriptive statistics.


RESULTS
The job description of GNPs in Korea revealed 5 duties, 23 tasks, and 86 task elements. On the all five duties, the highest duty in frequency and in importance was professional nursing care (3.25+/-0.35, 3.49+/-0.29). But the highest duty in difficulty was research (3.24+/-0.46). 'Prevent health problem (3.42+/-0.43, 3.56+/-0.33)', 'Teach other staffs (2.83+/-0.77, 3.39+/-0.43)', 'Develop the evidence-based standards (2.43+/-0.76, 3.22+/-0.43)', 'Develop the self (2.81+/-0.65, 3.26+/-0.42)', and 'Participate the team activities' were the highest score in frequency and in criticality of tasks. 'Provide emotional support to older adults and families (3.16+/-0.41)', 'Counsel older adults and their families (3.14+/-0.49)', 'Do clinical research (3.32+/-0.49)', 'Quality insurance (3.25+/-0.49)', and 'Build collaborative system (3.18+/-0.47)' were perceived the most difficult tasks.


CONCLUSIONS
The political efforts for the legislation of role and task of GNPs were needed.
Kim
Keum Soon
KS
College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
Park
Yeon-Hwan
YH
Lim
Nan Young
NY
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005260:Female; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007587:Job Description; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis