Exploring the Factors That Influence Nurse Practitioner Role Transition

• This study examined factors believed to affect nurse practitioner (NP) role transition.
• A positive correlation exists between a formal orientation and NP role transition.
• Registered nurse experience did not explain NP role transition.
• Future research is needed to identify more factors that influence this transition.

The transition from registered nurse (RN) to nurse practitioner (NP) is often a stressful career change. Data are lacking on the factors affecting NP role transition. This study examined the relationships between NP role transition, prior RN experience, and a formal orientation. From a sample of 352 NPs, only a formal orientation contributed significantly to the regression model, indicating a positive relationship with NP role transition (β = 6.24, P < .001). Knowledge of the factors that explain NP role transition is important to inform the discipline how best to support NPs during entry into practice.