title: Nurse practitioners in Taiwan: today and tomorrow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the barriers that nurse practitioners (NPs) face and their hopes for the future.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a qualitative research design, with 10 certified NPs who were recruited through convenience sampling. Data were collected through a face-to-face semi-structured interview, and content analysis was used to analyze the data.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  NPs in Taiwan are challenged by a number of barriers; however, they remain positive that their circumstances will improve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study suggest that there is a need for better communication between policymakers and NPs. Additionally, as recommended by the International Council of Nursing, there is a need for NPs to earn a master's degree and to have formal training prior to beginning work as an NP. Furthermore, to evaluate the NPs' performance, outcome studies need to be conducted. Implementing such recommendations should enable NPs to earn the respect and support of healthcare professionals and administrators.
authors.affiliation: Surgical Department, Chen-Hsin Hospital, PeiTou, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ching-Wen
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Heng-Hsin
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Tung
authors.forename: Shiow-Luan
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Tsay
authors.forename: Che-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology* / Q000639:trends; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology*; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000458:organization & administration; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011287:Prejudice; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012938:Social Perception; D057545:Social Stigma; D013624:Taiwan; D013637:Tape Recording