NONPF RESEARCH STUDY ON NP EDUCATIONAL TRACKS 07-09

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) has received funding from the National Council of State Board of Nursing’s (NCSBN) Center for Regulatory Excellence Grant Program for its study Clarification of Nurse Practitioner Specialty and Subspecialty Clinical Track Titles, Hours, and Credentialing.  The study project period is June 18, 2007, through June 18, 2009. 

Purpose 

The purpose of the study is to provide clarity about the current and emerging nurse practitioner programs leading to what has traditionally been called NP specialty and subspecialty practice.  Curricular issues involving varying titles in NP clinical tracts which do not reflect role preparation and certification eligibility were the impetus behind submitting the proposal to NCSBN.   This project addresses recommendations for further study identified in the 2001-2002 NONPF/AACN collaborative curriculum survey of master’s level NP educational programs.

Study Phases 

There are four phases planned for the current study:  Phase I includes Web site reviews to identify the range of specialty and subspecialty graduate NP educational tracks; Phase II will center on clarification of track titles, hours, curriculum, and credentialing information through focus groups; Phase III will validate findings from the focus groups through a broad survey of NP educational programs; and Phase IV will involve a priority-setting forum with the NONPF members to provide future direction for NP education.

Project Team 

The project principal investigator is Monica Scheibmeir, ARNP, PhD, the Treasurer of NONPF and an Associate Professor at the University of Kansas Medical Center.  Dr. Scheibmeir is a National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) funded researcher and winner of an Academic Research Enhancement Award from the National Institutes of Health.   

NONPF has also subcontracted with Berlin Sechrist Associates to partner in the leadership of the research study.  Principals Linda Berlin, DrPH, RNC and Karen Sechrist, PhD, RN, FAAN have directed large research projects for other organizations and have prior experience with NP curriculum data collection. 

Advisory Group 

NONPF also formed an Advisory Group to provide input into each phase of the study.  The Advisory Group includes:

Ø      Joanne M. Pohl, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN of the University of Michigan, and president of NONPF;

Ø      Debra Barksdale, PhD, RN, CFNP, FANP, of the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, and NONPF lead for data collection initiatives;

Ø      Charlene Hanson, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN, of Georgia Southern University, and past president of NONPF and past facilitator of the NTF;

Ø      Doreen Harper, PhD, ANP, FAAN, of the University of Alabama Birmingham, and past president of NONPF and former director of NONPF data collection initiatives;

Ø      Julie Marfell, ND, BC, FNP, of the Frontier School of Midwifery and Family Nursing, member of NONPF Program Directors SIG; and

Ø      Ann O’Sullivan, PhD, CRNP, CPNP, FAAN, of the University of Pennsylvania, past president and NONPF representative to APRN Consensus Group.

Project Outcomes 

This study will provide data on graduate NP educational tracks relative to track titles, clinical hours, and curriculum.  NONPF anticipates that the findings from this research study will yield data to inform and validate evidence-based initiatives and policies in development at the national level.  The study will engage the NP program directors and faculty in setting priorities for NP education and hopefully will also foster a greater understanding among NP educators of the issues related to NP education, titling, and credentialing. 

For more information, contact nonpf@nonpf.org.

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
1522 K Street, NW, Ste. 702
Washington, DC 20005
tel: (202) 289-8044 ● fax: (202) 289-8046
nonpf@nonpf.org

President: Mary Anne Dumas, PhD, RN, CFNP, FAANP