The added value of the nurse practitioner: An evolutionary concept analysis.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Nurse practitioners' added value is often mentioned in publications, but there is no consensus on what value is being added, what value is being added to, and in comparison with what can be considered to be an added value. A concept analysis was conducted to clarify the attributes, antecedents and meaning and better understand the Nurse practitioners' added value. DESIGN: Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis. METHODS: We selected 16 studies from CINAHL, PubMed, Embase and Medline to conduct a thematic analysis, considering the date, location and discipline of publications. RESULTS: Nurse practitioners' added value include skills and competencies, activities performed, positive outcomes, and positive role perceptions, and antecedents and consequences were also identified. Nurse practitioners' added value is context-dependent and is often understood by comparing it to a context prior to implementation or other professional roles.