Centralized resources for nurse practitioners: common early experiences among leaders of six large health systems

Abstract

Purpose: This article describes common experiences of institutions that have pioneered the work of integrating nurse practitioners (NPs) into complex hospital environments and addresses effective strategies in achieving a centralized leadership model.

Data sources: We conducted an informal, written survey and focus group discussions comparing experiences of leaders who were first in the position of centralizing resources and providing leadership for NPs in a hospital-based setting. Experiences were compared and common practices summarized.

Conclusions: The numbers of NPs required to provide patient care in an ever-growing, complex hospital environment are increasing rapidly. To meet the professional needs of these hospital-based NPs, a strong centralized leadership approach should be utilized. An organized and centralized approach to credentialing, program development, orientation, and evaluation processes will become necessary as hospitals continue to hire increased numbers of NPs.

Implications for practice: This article summarizes important considerations for formulating centralized leadership models for hospital-based NPs and provides a guide for administrators and NPs who are attempting to build similar models.

Keywords: Leadership; administration; advanced practice nurse (APN); nurse practitioners; organizational change; practice management; program development.