Lay summary
The nurse practitioner (NP) role has its foundation in nursing, along with links with medicine and science. The Nursing Council of New Zealand registered the first NP in 2001. The purpose of the role was to improve access to healthcare, and healthcare outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations. In 2023, there is a critical mass of NPs (n=703), practicing across the healthcare sector.
Despite considerable government funding for NP training, data are scarce. Reports from single centres or areas of practice show NPs improve access to healthcare, patient outcomes, and satisfaction, while practicing independently and collaboratively within teams. However, there are no longitudinal data about career trajectories, economic analyses, implementation according to health policy, and impact on health outcome equity. Taken together, this hinders further implementation and integration of the role. We seek to develop the research capacity to evaluate the mahi of nurse practitioners.