Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Role Satisfaction

Role satisfaction was found to be high, and practice philosophy tended toward a medical orientation, and those NNPs who were master's prepared and who reported to and were evaluated and paid by departments of nursing were more likely to have a nursing practice philosophy.

Abstract

The article reports a descriptive study utilizing a triangulated approach to explore the role satisfaction of a nationwide random sample of 315 neonatal nurse practitioners (NNPs). Role satisfaction was found to be high, and practice philosophy tended toward a medical orientation. Those NNPs who were master's prepared and who reported to and were evaluated and paid by departments of nursing were more likely to have a nursing practice philosophy. Intrinisic factors related to satisfaction included autonomy, patient management, relationships with colleagues and families, role diversity, and a sense of accomplishment. Implications for administrators and NNPs are discussed.