Abstract
ABSTRACT: Multifactorial changes within healthcare systems across the United States and beyond have forced hospitals to reevaluate the ways in which resources are used. With recent restrictions on resident work hours, the nurse practitioner has emerged as a front-line player in healthcare. This change, however, has brought with it more advanced therapies, treatments, and interventions which the nurse practitioner now practices more independently. As a result, the role of the trauma nurse practitioner emerged over the past few years to assist in meeting the complex demands of trauma programs. To date, little information on the demographic data and the background of these professionals has been published, nor has there been much discussion related to the orientation process for this innovative role.
The data described in this article identify commonalities and differences in the trauma nurse practitioner's professional experience. This information will be used to collectively propose formal recommendations for more structure and organization of the future trauma nurse practitioners' orientation to this unique and valuable role.