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This is a nice synopsis of key moments in history that have triggered the growth and development of the NP role in the US.

BACKGROUND: The trauma service experienced preventable delays caused by an Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education work restrictions and a 16% increase in patient census. Furthermore, nurses needed a consistently accessible provider for the coordination of care. We hypothesized that using experienced acute care nurse practitioners (ACNPs) on the stepdown unit would improve throughput and decrease length of stay (LOS) and hospital charges. Moreover, we hypothesized that adding ACNPs would improve staff satisfaction. On December 1, 2011, the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Division of Trauma reassigned ACNPs to the stepdown area 5 days a week for a pilot program. METHODS: LOS data from December 1, 2011 through December 1, 2012 was compared with data from the same months from the previous two years and estimated hospital charges and patient days were extrapolated. Physician and nursing surveys were performed. Data from 2010 (n = 2,559) and 2011 (n= 2,671) were averaged and the mean LOS for the entire trauma service was 7.2 days. After adding an experienced ACNP, the average LOS decreased to 6.4 days, a 0.8 day reduction. Per patient, there was a $ 9,111.50 savings in hospital charges, for a reduction of $27.8 million dollars in hospital charges over the 12 month pilot program. RESULTS: A confidential survey administered to attending physicians showed that 100% agreed that a nurse practitioner in the stepdown area was beneficial and helped throughput. Dayshift nurses were surveyed, and 100% agreed or strongly agreed that the ACNPs were knowledgeable about the patient's plan of care, experienced in the care of trauma patients, and improved patient care overall. CONCLUSION: The addition of experienced ACNPs resulted in the decrease of overall trauma service LOS, saving almost $9 million in hospital charges

Here is a recent commentary written by two nursing professors from the University of Pennsylvania SON about nurse residency programs. Until reading this article, I was not aware that the IOM recommends residency programs for nurses who complete an advanced practice degree program. Currently, data illustrates that these programs improve practitioner confidence and strengthen NP role identity; however, there is a lack of data showing the impact of these programs on patient outcomes. These professors believe that residences should not be mandated but rather encouraged.

An interesting article about an APRN fellowship. It is a yearlong program that has classroom sessions, simulations, and peer-to-peer support networks. The program is aimed at facilitating the APRN transition and reducing burnout. It seems to have some good results!

Great article on nursing residency programs and the opportunities they provide. BONUS- includes insight from an Emory NP Alum who completed a residency program in Washington!!

Faced with a shortage of primary care doctors, more and more clinics are relying on nurse practitioners to fill the gap. But that creates another gap, in the level of training providers bring to the job. Residency programs--once reserved for physicians--are popping up for nurse practitioners as well.

This study reviewed the struggles new APRNs were having when transitioning to new healthcare providers. It discussed the benefits of a formal residency program for new APRNs and used the benefits the programs provided for new MDs to support the findings that these formal residencies could provide for new APRNs.

This articles takes about the importance of a structured residency program for new nurse practitioners. A structured residency program helps to the NP to get acclimated in the new role of being a provider and ensures patients are receiving quality care.

List of NP residency programs available in US. Included primary care, acute care, ENP, peds, and several specialty settings (no midwives - sorry!)

Here are even more programs that offer residencies

List of various residencies/ fellowships for different specialties

Nurse Practitioner residency programs are a fairly new concept in the healthcare arena. The first program, introduced in 2007, was developed by Community Health Center, Inc. in Connecticut with the goal to increase the number of family nurse practitioners in the community health settings.

This is an article from The Journal of Nurse Practitioners. The IOM is recommending a transition to practice (residency program) for new graduate nurse practitioners; along with a competency tool to assess the effectiveness of such program.

This article gives a great glimpse into the need for ENP programs in order to support our health system in emergency care. It was written in 2011, so before ENP certification was approved by the ANCC.

Timeline on the role of the NP/APRN from the beginning. I like that it's done by decade.

Brief history of AANP

Very helpful timeline of the creation and establishment of NPs

This is a review of proposed ideas for hospitals for np programs. Something maybe we should look for in establishments we are applying for.

This article provides good tips as a new NP on the job!

Interesting article on Nurse Practitioner Residency programs. Colby Fowler

This article discusses the stressors that a novice NP may face in providing quality care. Many programs provide adequate content and clinical exposure, but mentorship may be an effective strategy for novice NPs to transition into the role of a competent healthcare provider.

Great article on NP residency programs and how they could really benefit NP grads transitioning into practice.

This is a timeline from the AANP on the history of our profession.

This site details the history of NP programs and how they were developed. it also provides detailed information about specialty programs and how/why they were started.

This article discusses the evolution of the WHNP. While I am in the FNP program, I plan to specialize in women's health which is why I picked this article. The conclusion of this article notes that the WHNP is moving to becoming a focus area in a FNP or ANP curriculum (or at least that was the author's opinion in 2009). I have found programs which allow for a specialty in women's and gender-related health care such as the following at Columbia and University of Pennsylvania. (Columbia: http://nursing.columbia.edu/course-list/Womens-Health ; U Penn: http://www.nursing.upenn.edu/whcs/Pages/WHCNPProgram.aspx)

Our study demonstrated that participation in the Quality Improvement and Innovation Partnership (QIIP) Learning Collaborative (LC) program influenced team functioning in Primary Health Care (PHC) teams, and facilitated the development of team based care processes. Enhanced communication processes increased both the recognition and the use of team members' scope of practice. Being respected and understood improved team collaboration as well as team functioning. Supporting and sharing leadership was a central component to successful team functioning.