Nurse practitioner faculty research: Results from the 2012 National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties Survey

J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015 Dec;27(12):664-70. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12250. Epub 2015 Mar 24.

Abstract

Purpose: To better understand the research capacity and productivity of nurse practitioner (NP) faculty, a study was conducted to describe the types of research that have been and are being completed by National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) members.

Data sources: A web-based survey was developed with input from members of the NONPF Research Special Interest Group and the NONPF Board. This 23-question survey included demographic, academic degree, NP population focus, and research-related questions. Three e-mails were sent to NONPF members over a 10-week period of time (late December 2012 to early February 2013).

Conclusions: Respondents (N = 344) in the sample were Advanced Practice Registered Nurses with either a Masters, Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNS or PhD as their highest academic degree. Study results demonstrated that current NP faculty research includes a wide breadth of clinical areas studied, types of methodologies used, variety of funding mechanisms, and successful publication records.

Implications for practice: Because NP faculty conduct a wide array of research on clinically relevant topics, and demonstrate successful funding and publication track records, they are poised to continue to be leaders in healthcare research.

Keywords: Doctoral faculty; Nursing Scholarship; Research; education; faculty practice; nurse practitioners.

MeSH terms

  • Faculty, Nursing / organization & administration*
  • Humans
  • Nurse Practitioners / education
  • Nurse Practitioners / organization & administration*
  • Nursing Evaluation Research*
  • Nursing Faculty Practice / organization & administration*
  • Professional Autonomy
  • United States