Advancing the practice of nursing through specialty fellowship development for pediatric nurse practitioners.

ABSTRACT

Fellowship training for physicians has historically been a training model for physicians to specialize their practice and develop research skills following medical school and residency. Advanced practice registered nurses, specifically nurse practitioners (NPs) practice in primary care, acute care, and specialty settings across the lifespan. Fellowship programs have emerged as a way for NPs to specialize their practice and meet the needs of an expanding health care system. This article describes the design, implementation, and outcomes of two similar yet distinct specialty NP fellowship programs one in Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics and one in Pediatric Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.