Transition from neonatal nurse to advanced neonatal nurse practitioner: A reflective account

Discussion involving role transition in nursing is often centred on the progression from student to qualified nurse. There appears to be less attention afforded to the transition to an advanced level of practice, in particular from neonatal nurse to advanced neonatal nurse practitioner. This article describes an experience of this transition through a personal reflective account which identifies and discusses problematic issues, with reference to literature that iterates many of the identified areas of difficulty. It is hoped that this may offer some guidance and reassurance to other nurses undergoing a similar transition.