Nurse practitioner transition experience into independent practice after a student nurse practitioner internship

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and describe a new Nurse Practitioners (NPs)’ transition into their NP role after participating in a student NP internship, to obtain a better understanding of the transition time a new NP needs. The setting of the study was at a large academic research medical center in Houston, Texas. Purposive sampling was used to recruit study participants. The sample consisted of 14 ACNPs that participated in a pre-graduate internship program. Demographic data was collected and in depth one on one interviews were conducted using a semi-structured interview guide. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi”s descriptive process for phenomenological data analysis was used. Four themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews. The themes included Putting on My NP Shoes, which describes participant’s statements about progression in their new role. We’re only as good as We Train, which describes participants statements regarding how NPs are trained to practice compared to other professional. My Internship Prepared Me, which describes participant statements about how additional education and exposure to an internship program prepared them for entry into practice and Relationships Provided Success, which describes participant statements about building collaborative relationships with physicians and staff that impacted their transition as a new NP. The findings from this phenomenological study will provide knowledge to develop or adapt educational programs for NPs and to further develop internship or post graduate residency programs for advance practice nurses.