Emergency nurse practitioner practice analysis: Report and implications of the findings

Abstract

Background and purpose: A practice analysis of nurse practitioners (NPs) working in emergency care was undertaken to define their job tasks and develop a specialty certification by examination. Method: In phase I, clinical experts created a qualitative description of domains of practice, tasks performed, knowledge required, and procedures performed by NPs in emergency care. Phase II involved validating the qualitative description through a national survey (N = 474) of emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs). Evidence from the validation survey was used to create a test content outline for the ENP examination. Findings and Conclusions: The delineation of ENP practice validated by the survey (Cronbach alpha = 0.86–0.94 across rating scales) included 5 ENP practice domains: medical screening, medical decision-making/differential diagnoses, patient management, patient disposition and professional, legal and ethical practices. There were 22 job tasks across domains, 10 types of patient conditions/emergency types, 42 knowledge areas, and 68 procedures performed by ENPs. These resulted in a test blueprint providing the foundation for the ENP certification examination content validity. Implications for practice: Beyond certification, the practice analysis has the potential to further inform the scientific basis of emergency specialty practice. Additional uses include refining professional scope and standards of practice, job descriptions, performance appraisals, research, and policy development.

Novice nurse's transitioning to emergency nurse during COVID‐19 pandemic: A qualitative study

“…Our findings mirror existing knowledge regarding the importance of continuing professional development for nursing and its impact on clinical practice, especially within grossly overwhelmed areas of medicine such as EDs (Huang et al, 2020;Scammell, 2018). Likewise, these results support recent studies which stated the need to develop the scope and standards of practice for new nurses in EDs as specialty practice in emergency care has notably grown in the last decade, in order to safeguard both novice nurses' confidence and patients' safety (Tyler et al, 2018).…”

Methods and Implementation of the 2019 EMS Practice Analysis

“…These results demonstrate the critical role that the Practice Analysis plays in Additional updates with the current Practice Analysis methodology include the use of the NEMSIS dataset to define frequency of impressions. Previous practice analyses used survey methodology for the assessment of frequency and criticality of clinical impressions, similar to other specialties (21)(22)(23). In the current analysis, the methodology was updated to mirror that used by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, which leverages emergency department data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey to evaluate frequency of visits, conditions, and diagnoses (24).…”

Analysis of nurse practitioner practice in US emergency departments: Evidence supporting educational preparation, credentialing, scope of practice, and outcomes

“…These most recent competencies were endorsed by the National Organization of NP Faculties. Although not an exhaustive list, the essential skills and procedures that ENPs may perform in diverse practices were identified during a 2016 practice analysis (Tyler et al, 2018).…”

“…The credential designation is ENP-C, which indicates the holder met examination eligibility requirements (see https://www.aanpcert.org/resource/documents/E-mergency%20NP%20Handbook.pdf) and passed the competency-based examination demonstrating knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to enter advanced practice emergency care. Through collaboration with AAENP and other nursing organizations such as American Association of Nurse Practitioners and Emergency Nurses Association, physician colleagues, and employer groups, AANPCB launched the ENP certification program in 2017 after completing an initial practice analysis (Tyler et al, 2018).…”