Analyzing trends and practices - A survey of procedures performed by nurse practitioners

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver

The study examines procedural training for nurse practitioners (NPs) whose clinical responsibilities include ordering, interpreting, and performing diagnostic tests. National regulations shape training and independence, yet standards reference test selection rather than procedural competency, and certification blueprints do not name specific procedures. A quantitative survey of practicing NPs describes training received, perceived competency, and independence, finding many perform procedures independently while fewer had training in initial education.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

AccessFree to download

Background

Growth of nurse practitioners

Abstract

Purpose

Methodology

Results

Conclusions

Implications

Quantitative Research Analyzing trends and practices: A survey of procedures performed by nurse practitioners Rita F. D’Aoust, PhD, ACNP, ANP-BC, CNE, FAAN, FAANP, FNAP (Associate Professor)1, Danielle McCamey, DNP, CRNP, ACNP-BC, FFCP (Assistant Dean, Strategic Partnerships, Assistant Professor)1, Nancy G. Russell, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE (Assistant Professor)1, Marianne L. Fingerhood, DNP, ANP-BC, CNE (Director Adult/ Gerontology Primary Care NP Program, Assistant Professor)1, Catherine Ling, PhD, FNP-BC, CNE, FAAN, FAANP (Associate Professor)1, Deborah J. Baker, DNP, AG-ACNP, NEA-BC, FAAN (Senior Vice President for Nursing, Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services)2, Carolanne Bianchi, DNP, MBA, RN, ANP-BC, CRRN (Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing)3, & Sarah Slone, PhD, DNP, FNP-BC, CCRN, CNE (Postdoctoral Fellow)1 ABSTRACT Background: Nurse practitioners (NPs) provide essential patient care services. Most (88%) are primary care certiﬁed, and 70% practice in primary care settings. National NP organizations and state practice authority regulations inﬂ uence the training and level of independence of performing procedures common in primary care practice. National standards reference the ability to select and interpret appropriate diagnostic tests related to clinical reasoning or management functions, but not competency in the procedures. Although the blueprint for certiﬁcation examinations includes procedures as part of evidence-informed practice, none are speciﬁcally named. Purpose: There are limited data concerning procedural training for NPs. The study aims were to describe the training practicing NPs received for procedures they perform, deﬁne areas of research concerning the development of uniform training, and identify advocacy initiatives for competency acquisition for procedures. Methodology: Practicing NPs completed a survey concerning the procedures they perform in their practice. In addition, they reported their level of perceived competency, independence in performing, and method of training. Results: The majority of respondents (87 . 8%) hold certiﬁcations in primary care specialties. In this sample of practicing NPs, 74%of the respondents perform procedures independently, but only67% had procedure training as part of their initial NP education. Additional training (60%) was completed through professional development programs. Conclusions: Many NPs surveyed perform procedures independently. Training occurred in their NP programs and through continuing education. Implications: Further studies are needed concerning procedural training and the setting that is most appropriate for competency achievement. Keywords: Clinical procedural skills; competency; procedures; training. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners 37 (2025) 436–443, © 2024 American Association of Nurse Practitioners DOI\# 10.1097/JXX.0000000000001085 Introduction It is essential that nurse practitioners (NPs) work to their full scope of practice. As patient care becomes more 1Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Baltimore, Maryland, 2Johns Hopkins Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 3University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, New York Correspondence: Nancy G. Russell, DNP, MSN, FNP-BC, CNE; E-mail: [Ngentry1@jhu.edu](Ngentry1@jhu.edu) Supplemental digital content is available for this article. Direct URL citations appear in the printed text and are provided in the HTML and PDF versions of this article on the journal’s Website ([www.jaanp.com](www.jaanp.com)). Received: 10 July 2024; revised: 9 September 2024; accepted 17 September 2024 complex, a strong working knowledge of interpretation, performance, and documentation of advanced diagnostics and procedures is increasingly necessary. Expansion of full practice authority has made this need even more critically important. Advanced practice nurses must have appropriate educational preparation to meet the needs of the current health car

FAQs

What gap in procedural training for nurse practitioners does the study address?

The study notes limited data on how NPs receive procedural training. It highlights that national standards and certification blueprints reference clinical reasoning and diagnostic testing abilities but do not specify procedural competency for named procedures.

How was procedural training and competency measured in the study?

Practicing NPs completed a survey reporting the procedures they perform, their perceived competency, independence in performing procedures, and the methods by which they were trained.

What were the key findings about independence and training sources?

In the sample, most respondents reported performing procedures independently, but fewer reported receiving procedure training as part of initial NP education. Additional training was commonly obtained through professional development programs.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Oliver