Preparing NPs for Leadership and Practice in Health/Medical Homes and Accountable Care Organizations

A key theme of the much-anticipated Institute of Medicine (IOM) report, “The Future of Nursing”, is the need for nurses to be full partners in American health care reform. The IOM further emphasizes the urgency for nurses work to the full extent of their education and skills. Nurse practitioner (NP) educators must respond to the nation’s needs by creating student learning materials and experiences to ensure that graduates are fully prepared for leadership in evolving models of care delivery. Being an expert NP clinician is not enough in this climate of urgency to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of health care and to demonstrate effective outcomes. The recent American Nurses Association, “Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice” (2010) states that the APRN or graduate-level prepared specialty nurse “provides leadership in the coordination of interprofessional health care for integrated delivery of healthcare consumer care services” (p. 40). Healthcare/medical homes and accountable care organizations (ACOs) are emphasized in many recent laws and demonstration projects at regional, state and federal levels. NP faculty must ensure that students have the knowledge and skills to understand the opportunities for leadership and practice in these new models. This presentation will provide a context for discussing challenges of preparing NPs for leadership and practice in evolving care models. Presenters will provide resources and case examples of ways to develop NP student competencies that position them for successful leadership and practice in health/medical homes and ACOs.