Study: Organizational culture thwarts NPs

A study from Columbia University School of Nursing, published in the Journal of Professional Nursing, suggests that opportunities for nurse practitioners (NP) might be impeded by the organization and culture in healthcare settings, and state laws expanding scope of practice therefore may not be sufficient to relieve the nation's primary care crisis.

The research team studied how the workplace environment in primary care settings affects NPs’ ability to deliver quality care and practice independently. The study also investigated the level of support and resources available to NPs, who reported that they were often denied the same level of personnel support and operational resources provided to physicians. NPs interviewed for the study also said that their role was poorly understood by senior leadership; and administrative personnel lacked awareness of the NP role and competences, aggravating the fragmented communication between NPs and administrative staff, and keeping NPs out of the decision-making processes within the primary care practice.

Source: Science Daily