Practice patterns and organizational commitment of inpatient nurse practitioners.
OBJECTIVE
Nurse practitioners (NPs) deliver a wide array of healthcare services in a variety of settings. The purpose of this study was to examine the practice patterns and organizational commitment of inpatient NPs.


METHODS
A quantitative design was used with a convenience sample (n = 183) of NPs who attended the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) national conference. The NPs were asked to complete a demographic questionnaire, the Practice Patterns of Acute Nurse Practitioners tool and the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
Over 85% of inpatient practice time consists of direct and indirect patient care activities. The remaining nonclinical activities of education, research, and administration were less evident in the NP's workweek. This indicates that the major role of inpatient NPs continues to be management of acutely ill patients. Moderate commitment was noted in the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire.


CONCLUSIONS
Supportive hospital/nursing leadership should acknowledge the value of the clinical and nonclinical roles of inpatient NPs as they can contribute to the operational effectiveness of their organization. By fostering the organizational commitment behaviors of identification, loyalty, and involvement, management can reap the benefits of these professionally dedicated providers.
Mount Sinai Heart, Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, New York.
Janet
J
Johnson
Adult and Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program, New York University College of Nursing, New York.
Mary
M
Brennan
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Carol M
CM
Musil
Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
Joyce J
JJ
Fitzpatrick
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000523:psychology*; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Acute care; advanced practice nurse (APN); hospital; management; nurse practitioners; role