Articulating new outcomes of nurse practitioner practice

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to describe how two mid-range theories, Kolkaba's Comfort Theory and Antonovsky's Sense of Coherence can be used to illuminate the holistic nature of nurse practitioner (NP) practice.

Data sources: Original research and theoretical papers related to both theories described.

Conclusions: The NP role has been in existence for more than 40 years and can be found in healthcare systems in more than 60 countries around the world. Increasingly, NPs are assuming responsibility for providing primary health care to people with complex care needs. Although researchers have consistently demonstrated the NPs provide safe, effective care, and patients are satisfied with that care, theories demonstrating the holistic nature of NP practice are less evident.

Implications for practice: Comfort Theory and Sense of Coherence can be used to demonstrate how the holistic nature of NP care results in patient-centered outcomes.