A qualitative study exploring nursing home care environments where nurse practitioners work

Research is needed to support the growing nurse practitioner workforce to assure higher quality care for older adults in nursing homes. Nursing homes with optimal care environments that support nurse practi-tioner roles, increased visibility, independence, and relationships are better positioned to support care of older adults. This study reports findings of thirteen qualitative interviews with nurse practitioners to explore facets of nursing home care environments and adapt a tool to measure care environments. Our team incorpo-rated deductive and inductive coding to identify three major emerging themes impacting care environments: 1) nurse practitioner practice in nursing homes, 2) overall goals of practice, 3) workplace challenges. Themes were derived from seven overarching categories and 33 codes describing aspects of NH care environment important to nurse practitioners. Some of the most highly important survey items measured nurse practi-tioner and physician relationships. Less important items measured relationships between nurse practitioners and administration. (c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Research is needed to support the nurse practitioner workforce in nursing homes to ensure higher quality care for older adults. Nursing homes with optimal care environments that support nurse practitioner roles and relationships are better equipped to provide care for older adults. This study conducted qualitative interviews with nurse practitioners and identified three major themes impacting care environments: nurse practitioner practice, overall practice goals, and workplace challenges. The findings highlight the importance of nurse practitioner and physician relationships in nursing home care.