Arizona Nurse Practitioner Perceptions of Entrepreneurship

Abstract

This project is designed to help develop an understanding of nurse practitioner’s (NPs) perceptions and attitudes toward entrepreneurship in Arizona. Five Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) entrepreneurs in Arizona were interviewed regarding their practice experience; data was examined with attention to NP identified barriers to entrepreneurship. Interviews were focused on understanding NP perceptions of barriers to entrepreneurship and how NP entrepreneurs overcame identified issues to run their own practice in Arizona. Five PMHNPs who chose not to venture out as entrepreneurs were asked to share information on perceived barriers that kept them from entrepreneurship and their decision rationales. The development of an understanding of perceived barriers to NP entrepreneurship was a vital first step in discovering how to enhance NP curriculum and indicate what educational resources are needed to promote future NP entrepreneurship; this was confirmed by a variance in participants’ practice decisions despite similar views on pros, cons and barriers. Interview data revealed that all participants reflected a shared definition of entrepreneurship, an intent to try entrepreneurship, and the belief that the NP curriculum should include business aspects of health care and entrepreneurship. Most PMHNPs felt they had not received any preparation for entrepreneurship during their NP programs and looked to other sources for information; a collective perception was that the lack of education was a missed opportunity and that NPs should be educated on addressing barriers. For the majority of PMHNP entrepreneurs, the impetus to start their own practice was being able to choose policies more compatible with their aims as providers.