Purpose Nurse practitioners (NPs) have reported aspects of their jobs that they are more and less satisfied with. However, few studies have examined the factors that predict overall job satisfaction. This study uses a large national sample to examine the extent to which autonomy and work setting predict job satisfaction. Data sources The 2012 National Sample Survey of Nurse Practitioners (n = 8311) was used to examine bivariate and multivariate relationships between work setting and three autonomy variables (independent billing practices, having one's NP skills fully utilized, and relationship with physician), and job satisfaction. Conclusions NPs working in primary care reported the highest levels of autonomy across all three autonomy measures, while those working in hospital surgical settings reported the lowest levels. Autonomy, specifically feeling one's NP skills were fully utilized, was the factor most predictive of satisfaction. In multivariate analyses, those who strongly agreed their skills were being fully utilized had satisfaction scores almost one point higher than those who strongly disagreed. Work setting was only marginally related to job satisfaction. Implications for practice In order to attract and retain NPs in the future, healthcare organizations should ensure that NPs’ skills are being fully utilized.

We explore the extent to which state scope of practice laws are related to nurse practitioners (NPs)' day-to-day practice autonomy. We found that NPs experienced greater day-to-day practice autonomy when they had prescriptive independence. Surprisingly, there were only small and largely insignificant differences in day-to-day practice autonomy between NPs in fully restricted states and those in states with independent practice but restricted prescription authority. The scope of practice effects were strong for primary care NPs. We also found that the amount of variation in day-to-day practice autonomy within the scope of practice categories existed, which suggests that factors other than state scope of practice laws may influence NP practice as well. Removing barriers at all levels that potentially prevent NPs from practicing to the full extent of their education and training is critical not only to increase primary care capacity but also to make NPs more efficient and effective providers.

These findings serve as a building block of empirical evidence for admissions committees as they consider entry requirements for NP programs.

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People living with HIV can experience the full benefits of retention when they are continuously engaged in care. Continuous engagement in care promotes improved adherence to ART and positive health outcomes. An infectious disease clinic has implemented a protocol to primarily improve patient retention. The retrospective, facility-based, costing study took place in an infectious disease clinic in Washington DC. Retention was defined in two ways and over a 12-month period. Micro-costing direct measurement methods were used to collect unit costs in time series. Return on investment accounted for the cost of treatment based on CD4 strata. ROI was expressed in 2016USD. The difference in CD4 and viral load levels between the two periods of analysis were determined for active patients, infected with HIV. The year before the intervention was compared to the year of the intervention. Total treatment expenditure decreased from $2,435,653.00 to $2,283,296.23, resulting in a $152,356.77 gain from investment for the healthcare system over a 12-month investment period. The viral load suppression rate increased from 81 to 95 (p = 0.04) over the investment period. The number of patients in need of HIV related opportunistic infection prophylaxis decreased from 21 to 13 (p = 0.06). Improved immunologic, virologic and healthcare expenditure outcomes can be linked to the quality of retention practice.