Evaluating the Readiness of Nevada Nurse Practitioners for Clinical Practice Post-Graduation Utilizing the Nevada Nurse Practitioners' Prepardness for Practice Survey

Abstract

As a result of changing demographics and an increasing need for access to healthcare, in 2013, the Nevada Legislature passed Assembly Bill 170 (AB170) allowing nurse practitioners (NPs) full practice authority in Nevada in 2013 (VanBeuge & Walker, 2014). With the movement from collaborative agreement to independent practice, recent NP graduates need to be prepared for transitioning from the NP student role to an independent practitioner role. Historically, speaking there have been numerous studies citing that NPs provide high-quality health care and have high patient satisfaction, yet there has been almost no research regarding the readiness for clinical practice post-graduation (Hart & Macnee, 2007). The purpose of this project was to develop a better understanding of readiness to practice, perceived barriers, and to develop recommendations for post-graduation nurse practitioners in Nevada. A brief survey was provided electronically to NPs who were members of the Nevada Advanced Practice Nurses Association (NAPNA).