DescriptionAs Nurse Practitioners are gradually gaining full practice authority throughout the nation, the 2010 Institute of Medicine (IOM) Future of Nursing Report implored governing bodies to support the institution of post graduate NP residency programs to ease the practice transition of new graduates. However, there are currently no formal requirements for new graduate NPs to enroll in residency training. Furthermore, there is no standardized curriculum in place for programs to emulate.
Purpose of Project
The 2010 Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing Report implored governing bodies to support the institution of post graduate NP residency programs. This project closely examined all residency programs via a web-based search to assess for similarities and differences across programs.
Methodology
This project employed a descriptive comparative design, utilizing a community assessment/windshield survey to analyze current NP residency programs through an internet-based search. All active NP residency programs in existence across the nation that had online programmatic information available were examined. Exclusion criteria consisted of programs that were not identified via a basic internet search. The utilization of accrediting organizations was employed to obtain a list of accredited residency programs within the United States.
Results
The results of this project identified numerous inconsistencies across NP residency programs. With the swift establishment of these programs, there is an overt lack of standardization in their design. There also lacks one common nomenclature as to how to refer to these programs with the term residency and fellowship used interchangeably. Furthermore, while accrediting organizations are in place, they themselves lack accreditation. As a result, many programs are electing not to undergo this distinction.
Implications on Practice
Awareness within the nursing profession through dissemination of this project will serve to generate further discussion about the current and future state of residency programs and the need for standardization of curriculum. Identified disparities in curricula should be scrutinized to develop academic pillars that are fluid across all residency programs and are rooted in their identified specialty.