The Acute-Care Nurse Practitioner

The Acute-Care Nurse Practitioner is based on in-depthinterviews with twenty-six nurse practitioners working in acute-caresettings within tertiary-care institutions all across Canada. Employinga hermeneutic approach, Rashotte explores the perspectives from whichNPs view their reality as they undergo a transformational journey ofbecoming--a journey that is directed both outward, into the world, and inward, into the self. We learn how, in their struggle to engage ina meaningful practice that fulfills their goals as nurses, theirpurpose was hindered or achieved. In large part, the story unfolds inthe voices of the NPs themselves, but their words are complemented bydescriptive passages and excerpts of poetry that construct an animatedand powerful commentary on their journey. Poised between two worlds, NPs make a significant contribution to the work of their colleagues andto the care of patients and families. The Acute-Care NursePractitioner offers an experiential alternative to conventionaldiscourse surrounding this health care provider's role.