Biomaterial Database

Qualitative distinctions and similarities in the practice of clinical nurse specialists and nurse practitioners. 1993

M V Fenton, and K A Brykczynski

University of Texas Medical Branch, School of Nursing at Galveston 77550.

Current debate over whether clinical nurse specialist (CNS) and nurse practitioner (NP) roles should be combined or remain separate are largely theoretical. Minimal research has been conducted comparing these roles. Most studies to date consist of graduate follow-up surveys and comparisons of curricula. Interpretive results of Fenton's investigation of the practice of CNSs and Brykczynski's study describing the practice of NPs were compared to highlight the commonalities and distinctions between the two roles. This comparison is significant in that it explores the actual practice of CNSs and NPs. Both studies were modeled after Benner's research exploring the development of clinical expertise and produced adaptations of Benner's domains and competencies of nursing practice specifically for CNSs and NPs. Participant observations and small group interviews were the data-gathering methods used in these interpretive research studies. The interpretive approach is described as a situational, contextual, or narrative research method for understanding the knowledge and meanings in everyday (naturalistic) settings. Comparative analysis of results of the CNS and NP studies showed a shared core of advanced practice competencies as well as distinct differences between the practice roles. These findings have implications for curriculum development in advanced nursing practice.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007587	Job Description	Statement of the position requirements, qualifications for the position, wage range, and any special conditions expected of the employee.	Position Description,Description, Job,Description, Position,Descriptions, Job,Descriptions, Position,Job Descriptions,Position Descriptions
D009720	Nurse Clinicians	Registered nurses who hold Master's degrees in nursing with an emphasis in clinical nursing and who function independently in coordinating plans for patient care.	Clinical Nurse Specialists,Clinical Nurse Specialist,Nurse Specialist, Clinical,Nurse Specialists, Clinical,Specialist, Clinical Nurse,Specialists, Clinical Nurse,Clinician, Nurse,Clinicians, Nurse,Nurse Clinician
D009722	Nurse Practitioners	Nurses who are specially trained to assume an expanded role in providing medical care under the supervision of a physician.	Nurse Practitioner,Practitioner, Nurse,Practitioners, Nurse
D009738	Nursing Service, Hospital	The hospital department which is responsible for the organization and administration of nursing activities.	Hospital Nursing Service,Service, Hospital Nursing,Hospital Nursing Services,Nursing Services, Hospital,Services, Hospital Nursing
D011364	Professional Practice	The use of one's knowledge in a particular profession. It includes, in the case of the field of biomedicine, professional activities related to health care and the actual performance of the duties related to the provision of health care.	Practice, Professional,Practices, Professional,Professional Practices
D011795	Surveys and Questionnaires	Collections of data obtained from voluntary subjects. The information usually takes the form of answers to questions, or suggestions.	Community Survey,Nonrespondent,Questionnaire,Questionnaires,Respondent,Survey,Survey Method,Survey Methods,Surveys,Baseline Survey,Community Surveys,Methodology, Survey,Nonrespondents,Questionnaire Design,Randomized Response Technique,Repeated Rounds of Survey,Respondents,Survey Methodology,Baseline Surveys,Design, Questionnaire,Designs, Questionnaire,Methods, Survey,Questionnaire Designs,Questionnaires and Surveys,Randomized Response Techniques,Response Technique, Randomized,Response Techniques, Randomized,Survey, Baseline,Survey, Community,Surveys, Baseline,Surveys, Community,Techniques, Randomized Response
D002983	Clinical Competence	The capability to perform acceptably those duties directly related to patient care.	Clinical Skills,Competence, Clinical,Clinical Competency,Clinical Skill,Competency, Clinical,Skill, Clinical,Skills, Clinical,Clinical Competencies,Competencies, Clinical
D003479	Curriculum	A course of study offered by an educational institution.	Curricula,Short-Term Courses,Course, Short-Term,Courses, Short-Term,Short Term Courses,Short-Term Course
D005544	Forecasting	The prediction or projection of the nature of future problems or existing conditions based upon the extrapolation or interpretation of existing scientific data or by the application of scientific methodology.	Futurology,Projections and Predictions,Future,Predictions and Projections
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man