Summary
Introduction and aims
To examine barriers senior rural nurses in New South Wales drug and alcohol clinical
settings perceive when considering endorsement to Nurse Practitioner (NP).
Design and methods
A survey was designed to record views of senior alcohol and drug nurses in rural New
South Wales about becoming a NP. Participants were identified by Area Health Service
Directors of Drug and Alcohol Services for each Area Health Service in NSW excluding
metropolitan Sydney. Forty eight surveys were distributed, with 17 (35%) completed
surveys included in the results.
Results
Of the 17 participants, 12 (70.6%) expressed interest in becoming a NP. The majority
(12, 70.6%) were unaware or unsure of endorsement processes. Lack of clarity about
the NP role and processes and benefits to becoming a NP was found to be of most concern
to all participants. Only 6 participants (35%) indicated they would consider seeking
endorsement to NP.
Discussion and conclusion
Despite agreeing that NP positions in alcohol and drug settings would improve patient
access to treatment and care, senior nurses working in these settings in regional
areas are unfamiliar with pathways to becoming endorsed. Barriers, such as a lack
of internal support from management and colleagues, as well as the fact that respondents
reported no foreseeable financial gain in endorsement, also need to be addressed,
before more nurses will consider endorsement. Further evaluation of the views of senior
nurses in metropolitan alcohol and other drug settings in the process to NP endorsement
is needed before clients will benefit from the expertise and enhanced care that NP's
may provide.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 25, 2012
Accepted:
March 25,
2012
Received in revised form:
March 7,
2012
Received:
May 10,
2011
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
