The Transformational Journey of Nurse Practitioners in Acute-Care Settings
Le cheminement évolutif des infirmières praticiennes en soins actifs

Authors: Rashotte, Judy; Jensen, Louise

Source: CJNR (Canadian Journal of Nursing Research), Volume 42, Number 2, June 2010 , pp. 70-91(22)

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Abstract:

This study explored the nature of the lived experience of being nurse practitioners (NPs) in acute-care settings in Canadian teaching hospitals using hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry guided by van Manen's approach. A total of 26 NPs were interviewed. Data analysis revealed that NPs experienced a transformational journey as they searched for being more, the overarching phenomenon that best characterizes their overall experience, which occurred in the context of being pioneers. Five themes emerged: being called to be more — being more connected, in control, visible, challenged, and able to make more of a difference; being adrift — being disconnected, uncertain, lost, and staying afloat; being an acute-care NP — being competent, confident, comfortable, committed, connected, and content; being pulled to be more — being a wearer of two hats; and being more — being an advanced practitioner. The NP journey reveals the complex, largely invisible experience of being an acute-care NP.

French
L'étude fait appel à la phénoménologie herméneutique selon l'approche de van Manen pour explorer la nature des expériences vécues par les infirmières praticiennes (IP) en soins actifs au sein des hôpitaux universitaires du Canada. Les auteures ont mené des entrevues auprès de 26 IP. L'analyse révèle que les IP suivent un cheminement évolutif caractérisé par un désir de dépassement; ce sentiment est au cœur du rôle de pionnières qu'elles sont appelées à assumer. Cinq thèmes se dégagent des entrevues : le désir de se surpasser (se rapprocher des patients, être autonome, affirmer ses compétences et son rôle et surmonter des défis); une impression de désorientation (se sentir déroutée, incertaine, perdue, tout en aspirant à surmonter les difficultés); l'affirmation de son identité comme IP (se sentir compétente, confiante, à sa place, engagée et satisfaite); les exigences liées à de nouvelles responsabilités (porter deux chapeaux à la fois); le dépassement de soi (devenir une infirmière spécialisée). Le cheminement de l'infirmière praticienne en soins actifs se dessine comme une expérience complexe, mais méconnue dans la plupart des cas.

Keywords: ACUTE CARE; ADVANCED NURSING PRACTICE AND EDUCATION; LIMINALITY; NURSE PRACTITIONER; NURSE RELATIONSHIPS/PROFESSIONAL ISSUES; NURSING ROLES; PHENOMENOLOGY; TRANSFORMATIONAL PROCESS; TRANSITION

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2010-06-01

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CJNR is a peer-reviewed, quarterly journal published by the McGill University School of Nursing since 1969. With world-wide circulation, CJNR's primary mandate is to publish original nursing research that develops basic knowledge for the discipline and examines the application of the knowledge in practice. Research related to education and history is also welcomed, as are methodological, theoretical, and review papers that advance nursing science. Letters or commentaries about published articles are encouraged. Learn more.
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