Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate whether nurse practitioners (NPs) desired to function collaboratively in a close relationship with a physician. The researcher also attempted to see if the tasks that NPs desired or believed themselves capable of performing were appropriate for the role as determined by a panel of authorities . A researcher-designed questionnaire was distributed to all licensed Mississippi NPs at the March meeting of NPs in Louisville, Mississippi , who volunteered to participate . Since some licensed Mississippi NPs were not present at this meeting, questionnaires were mailed to the remaining licensed NPs known to the researcher. The sample consisted of 45 respondents. There were two hypotheses which the researcher subjected to testing and analysis. The first part of the questionnaire contained 26 questions regarding primarily demographic data and Hypothesis I . The second part of the questionnaire included 25 tasks in which the NPs indicated their present and desired manner of functioning. The researcher utilized descriptive statistics and tables to present the data collected. Hypothesis I was concerned with whether NPs would indicate a desire to function collaboratively in a close relationship with a physician. Close relationship was defined as with protocols and physician back-up on the premises; or with protocols and physician back - up less than 25 miles away with the physician visiting weekly, and the NP having means of direct communication with the physician. The researcher hypothesized that NPs would desire this type of relationship . Since 5 (11.1% ) respondents desired to be 25 or more miles away, 10 (19.6% ) desired physician visits less than once a week, 1 (2.2% ) desired protocols to be nonexistent, and 1 (2.2% ) desired independent practice; hypothesis I was rejected. Hypothesis II stated that the tasks that NPs desire or believe themselves capable of performing are appropriate for the role as determined by a panel of authorities. Since some NPs desired or believed themselves capable of performing all or some of the seven tasks that the panel judged were not in the expanded role, hypothesis II was also rejected .

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

6-1-1981

Publication Number

27919757

First Advisor

Dr. Phyllis Werner

Second Advisor

Mary Patricia Curtis

Document Type

Thesis

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