Issues and Answers in the Role Development for the Surgical Advanced Practice Registered Nurse: A Case Study

Many hospitals have incorporated the nurse practitioner (NP) role into their surgical services with the goal of providing efficient, cost-effective care. The integration of the NP role into surgical services with surgical residents and physician assistants creates both challenges and opportunities for NP practice. This article explores issues of NP integration into the general surgery service of a 450-bed community hospital that has a surgical residency program. Issues discussed include collaboration, NP education, and organization of the service. The authors' experiences are described and opportunities for enhanced practice are presented.