A New Order of Things: Origins of a Nurse Practitioner Movement

In the mid-1960s, nursing practice changed dramatically due to experiments that demonstrated the effectiveness of nurses with expanded diagnostic and decision-making authority. This led to the emergence of the nurse practitioner as a new breed of nurse. A New Order of Things by Freund documents this evolution, including a demonstration project at the University of North Carolina, the emergence of an innovative nurse practitioner training program, the siting of rural clinics with nurse practitioners as the primary providers of health services, and a movement for a new order of advanced nursing practice and primary care service delivery. The book illustrates how change leaders formed alliances in a politically nuanced process, thought ahead and of the present moment simultaneously, and were adept at recognizing subtle clues and nimble enough to take advantage of opportune moments. This story is relevant to any health professional striving to make change in health services and move an innovative idea into widespread adoption.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 316 pages
Publication date: 15 August 2022
Publisher: The University of North Carolina Press

In the mid-1960s, a significant transformation occurred in the field of nursing as a result of extensive experiments conducted nationwide. These experiments showcased the remarkable effectiveness of nurses in expanding their diagnostic and decision-making authority
authority. This groundbreaking shift led to the emergence of a new breed of nurse, known as the nurse practitioner.

A New Order of Things, written by Dr. Robert Freund, delves into this transformative journey. The book takes readers on a comprehensive exploration of the evolution of nursing practice. It begins with a demonstration project at the University of North Carolina, which marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. This project showcased the potential of nurses to provide primary care services and led to the establishment of an innovative nurse practitioner training program.

The success of this training program led to the establishment of rural clinics, where nurse practitioners served as the primary providers of health services. This innovative approach not only improved access to healthcare for rural communities but also resulted in better health outcomes.

To further expand the reach of nurse practitioners, a consortium of nurse practitioner training programs was formed across the state. This consortium brought together various stakeholders, including healthcare providers, educators, and policymakers, to promote the adoption of advanced nursing practice and primary care service delivery.

The movement gained momentum, and nurse practitioners became an integral part of the healthcare system in North Carolina. Their expertise and dedication to patient care made them highly valued members of the healthcare team.

A New Order of Things is unique in its approach to documenting a history with contemporary relevance. The book provides a case study that illustrates how a major innovation was strategically engineered toward adoption at the organizational, health system, and state levels. Through the use of multiple sources of historical records and 36 hours of interviews with leaders of the N.C. nurse practitioner movement, Freund paints a vivid picture of how change leaders formed alliances, thought ahead and of the present moment simultaneously, were adept at recognizing subtle clues, and were nimble enough to take advantage of opportune moments.

This story is not just about North Carolina; it is a story for any health professional striving to make change in health services and move an innovative idea into widespread adoption. The lessons learned from the N.C. nurse practitioner movement can be applied to other healthcare settings and sectors, leading to improved patient care and better health outcomes.

In conclusion, A New Order of Things is a must-read for anyone interested in the field of nursing and healthcare. It provides a comprehensive and insightful account of the evolution of nursing practice and the role of nurse practitioners in shaping the future of healthcare. By highlighting the strategies and tactics used by change leaders.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781469672861