Are You Considering Advanced Practice Nursing?

n June, AWHUNN Lifelines asked its readers if they're considering moving their practice

to one of an advanced practice role-the nurse practitioner (NP). Under growing pressure to balance quality and cost, health planners are increasingly relying on NPs as providers of choice. Here's what our readers had to say about their plans:

When asked, 100 percent of the survey 1 respondents said they would seek health care from an NP for themselves and their family members.

"NPs spend a lot more time with their patients, and extend to them information about wellness and preventive care."-RNC, MS; Private prac- tice; Kansas City, KS

"Advanced practice nurses are sensitive to the unspoken needs of patients-they're not will- ing to blow off a complaint or problem."-BSN; Hospital; Nashville, TN

Of those who took the survey, 30 percent 2 are now working in an advanced practice role (master's prepared) and 70 percent are not. For those who sought and obtained master's degrees, career development, job security, and increased compensation were the primary rea- sons cited for obtaining the degree.

"I wanted to provide continuity and a full spec- trum of women's health care services to my patients."-RNC, CNM, MSN; Hospital clinic; Hartford, KY

Of those 70 percent who aren't currently 3 working in an advanced role, 85 percent plan to obtain an advanced degree.

In terms of compensation, the average annu- 4 al compensation of non-NPs responding to the survey as $38,500 (range, $30,000 to $52,000); as an NP, these nurses could expect their annual compensation to increase to $52,000 (range, $42,000 to $61,000). The NPs responding to the survey reported average annual compensation of $57,000 (range, $50,000 to $62,000).

"NPs are paid less than tenured RNs in my geographic area."-RNC, WHCNP, MSN; L&D; Myrtle Creek, OR

Among the barriers that are holding nurses 5 back from seeking advanced degrees, the most frequently cited reasons were:

Lack of an undergraduate degree

Financial barriers

Lack of employer support for the NP role

How are NPs working their role into their

"I'm the only NP in a four-doctor office and it has been an educational effort to make the role work with both staff and patients."-RNC, MS; Private practice; Orange Park, FL

"Patients are more satisfied with the practice because we're spending more time with them." -RNC, MSN; Private practice; Baltimore, MD

6. care settings?

August 7998 A W H O N N L i f e l i n e s 23

his month, AWHONN lifelines is rolling out a new column, T "InternetWORKING," designed to help nurses use the Internet and World Wide Web more effectively in their personal and professional lives. Although we've received a tremendous amount of feedback from readers indicating that they are using

their computers and WWW access extensively, we thought the launch of the new column would be an opportune time to resurvey our read- ers about their technological prowess. Watch for survey results in the October 1998 issue.

1. Are you currently using a computer: At work: -Yes - No At home: -Yes -No

2. Do you use your computer to access the Internet and www? -Yes - No If so, i s that access typically for: - Professional use

Personal use Both

3. What kinds of inforniation and sites do you find useful on the Web? Professional organizations-favorite sites:

Daily health news-favorite sites:

~ ~~

Medl ine and other literature sources-favorite sites:

Online journals-favorite sites:

Commercial sites, including those from drug manufacturers-favorite sites:

Other-please specify:

4. How do you typically judge the validity and accuracy of inforniation on the Web?

5. How can nurses use the Web to enhance their professional lives and practices?

......................................................... May w e have a little information about you?

Your title

Credentials

City State

Care setting

Namehelephone number (not for publication)

24 A W H O N N L i f e l i n e s Volume 2, Issue 4