RESUMO
BACKGROUND: This paper draws on a 2015 study in New Zealand that examined perceptions of registered nurses (RNs) and general practitioners (GPs) regarding the role of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) in long-term aged care facilities (LTACF). AIM: To explore the attitudes of RNs and GPs regarding the role of NPs in LTACFs. DESIGN: A descriptive, mixed methods design with a survey and invitation to interview was used. RNs and GPs who provided hospital-level care were invited to participate. FINDINGS: The findings showed RNs and GPs are open to considering the NP role in aged care. However, there remains a lack of understanding of what NPs do. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests a shift in attitude towards accepting the NP role by RNs and GP working in LTACFs.