Specialist nurses play a vital role



The role of Nurse Practitioner is gaining a foothold in Victoria as a popular career choice for nurses.

Nurse practitioners have greater responsibilities, more control over how patients are treated and the chance to implement new procedures to benefit patients.

And though the job is becoming more popular, positions are still scarce and most people don’t understand the role.

A recent survey of patients has found a high level of satisfaction after visiting a nurse practitioner, but some confusion about their role and what services they provide.

Study leader Sandy Middleton, a director at the Nursing Research Institute, St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney and Australian Catholic University, says: “Nurse practitioners are playing an increasingly important role in the Australian healthcare system. However, there is a lack of data about public understanding of the NP role.

“The aim of this study was to evaluate clients’ understanding of the role of the NP and their satisfaction with education received, quality of care and NP knowledge and skill.

“Of the 129 clients surveyed, 63 per cent were aware they were consulting an NP. The responses were overwhelmingly positive on all items of client satisfaction and confidence in the care provided by NPs.

“Greater than 95 per cent of clients ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ that they felt confident with the care provided by the NP.”

The education provided, quality of care provided, and the knowledge and skill demonstrated by the NP were rated as excellent or very good by almost 90 per cent, 95 per cent and 93 per cent of clients, respectively.

There was some confusion among clients about specific NP tasks.

The majority of patients acknowledged that NPs could take blood-pressure readings (92 per cent), refer to doctors (86 per cent) and order tests (67 per cent). However, less than half believed NPs could prescribe medication (44 per cent), one of their key roles.

Though 49 per cent of clients were aware that NPs could not give a general anaesthetic, a further 34 per cent were unsure.

Forty per cent wrongly believed the NP could issue a medical certificate.

“The results suggest that despite high levels of confidence and satisfaction after consultations with NPs, clients perceive an ambiguity around the specific tasks included in the NP scope of practice,” Middleton says.

“This uncertainty may reduce the likelihood of a person independently choosing to consult an NP.

“Indeed, only 55 per cent had intended to consult an NP on the day of their visit.

“The growth of the NP positions could be boosted in the community by making their role less ambiguous.

“Further research into patients’ understanding of the role of NPs is also important.”

Article from Herald Sun, May 2010.