The Emerging Role of APRNs in Hospital Nursing Practice: Perspectives From a Survey of Chief Nursing Officers

Abstract

The number of and demand for advance practice registered nurses (APRNs)—including nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists—continue to grow. Although the majority of APRNs work in physician practices, community health centers, nurse-managed clinics, schools, or other similar venues, APRNs are increasingly employed by acute care hospitals in a variety of roles. With the changing and expanding of APRN roles comes a need for a better understanding of current practice and how APRNs can be supported in order to maximize the use of their skills and knowledge, especially within the acute care setting. The number of and demand for advance practice registered nurses (APRNs)—including nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, clinical nurse specialists, and certified registered nurse anesthetists—continue to grow. Although the majority of APRNs work in physician practices, community health centers, nurse-managed clinics, schools, or other similar venues, APRNs are increasingly employed by acute care hospitals in a variety of roles. With the changing and expanding of APRN roles comes a need for a better understanding of current practice and how APRNs can be supported in order to maximize the use of their skills and knowledge, especially within the acute care setting.