Setting or Patient Care Needs: Which Defines Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Scope of Practice?

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide insight into the roles and population focus of both the family nurse practitioner and the adult gerontology/acute care nurse practitioner. The article looks at problems that seem to be increasing in prevalence in terms of who should be taking care of primary care patients and who should be taking care of acute care patients. Solutions are offered that could keep both types of practitioners out of the sphere of litigation.