Nurse Practitioner Role Transition and Identity Development in Rural Health Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Abstract

AIM The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the literature regarding the nurse practitioner (NP) role transition and professional identity development at rural health care settings. BACKGROUND Because of the shortage of primary care providers, NPs are meeting the demand for primary care in rural areas. METHOD Arksey and O'Malley's six-stage methodological framework for scoping reviews guided this systematic literature review, which resulted in selection of 145 sources. RESULTS Three major themes emerged: NPs in rural clinical practice, defining NP professional identity, and role transition to an NP identity. CONCLUSION Further research is needed to guide education program leaders on curriculum development. Rural health care facilities and nursing programs should partner in the orientation and continuing education needs of NPs to prepare and support their role transition and professional identity development. NPs will be instrumental in providing access to quality primary health care in rural communities.

They Are Partners in Care: A Qualitative Exploration of Physicians’ Perceptions of Primary Care Advanced Practice Nurses

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An advanced practice nurse (APN) is defined internationally as a nurse who has attained specialist knowledge, makes advanced clinical decisions, and performs an expanded practice role in his or her specific context of practice (International Council of Nurses, 2020). Globally, APNs play various roles in primary care settings, such as managing chronic disease, attending to uncomplex medical issues, and being the sole primary care providers in rural areas (Bryant-Lukosius et al, 2017;Lukewich, Edge, VanDenKerkhof, & Tranmer, 2014;Owens, 2019). Depending on legal and practicing rights, APNs may practice independently or collaboratively with physicians (Fealy et al, 2018).

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Extreme Adjustments to Telehealth Services among Rural Public Health Nurses during the Covid-19 Pandemic in Padang Indonesia

“…Continuous remote communication is maintained between professionals and work units, requiring attentiveness and practical communication abilities. This circumstance prompted consideration of the significance of a training program for rural community nurses to provide higher-quality care (Owens, 2019). In his study, Moeckli et al (2021) discovered that medical workers in rural health institutions viewed telehealth as highly beneficial for accelerating the treatment of patients who require referrals to more comprehensive urban health facilities.…”

“…Several studies have demonstrated that using telehealth to provide health services to rural regions is a reasonably reliable regarding quality, coordination, and health service agencies (Owens, 2019). This solution efficiently avoids superfluous services that can be performed at home individually (Moeckli, Gutierrez, & Kaboli, 2021).…”

Experiences of Scope of Practice of the Taiwanese Nurse Practitioner

“…17 Although the current practice of NPs in Taiwan is hospital-based only, the multidisciplinary team care model emphasizes greater interprofessional collaboration between physicians and other clinicians, such as NPs, to serve patients' best interests during their hospitalization. 25,26 Autonomy allows NPs to participate in collaborations and to positively influence the health care system. 27 Research has demonstrated that this autonomy is a crucial factor influencing NPs' job satisfaction and outcomes.…”