Glascock J, Webster-Stratton C, McCarthy A M
Nurs Res. 1985 Jan-Feb;34(1):39-43.
The nursing and medical literature reveals considerable debate over whether graduate or continuing education is the appropriate level for nurse practitioner preparation. These arguments have been rhetorical since the research literature lacks data on the scope of practice of master's- and nonmaster's-prepared nurse practitioners. The purpose of this study was to examine possible differences between the two types of practitioners in one area--well-child care provided by pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs). A total of 236 master's- and nonmaster's-prepared PNPs completed a background questionnaire and checklists of nursing activities involving infant and preschool well-child care. Analysis of study results showed that master's PNPs performed more activities involving (1) assessment of physical and cognitive development of infants (p less than .003); (2) assessment of personality and socialization of preschool children (p less than .05); and (3) counseling and guidance involving the physical and cognitive development of infants (p less than .01). Master's PNPs also appeared to benefit more from their years in practice both in terms of the number of assessment activities (p less than .04) and management activities (p less than .06) they performed. Finally, master's PNPs engaged in more leadership activities than nonmaster's PNPs (p less than .005).
护理和医学文献显示，对于研究生教育还是继续教育才是培养执业护士的合适层次，存在相当多的争论。由于研究文献缺乏关于拥有硕士学位和未拥有硕士学位的执业护士执业范围的数据，这些争论一直停留在理论层面。本研究的目的是考察这两类执业者在一个领域——儿科执业护士（PNP）提供的儿童健康护理方面可能存在的差异。共有236名拥有硕士学位和未拥有硕士学位的PNP完成了一份背景调查问卷以及涉及婴儿和学龄前儿童健康护理的护理活动清单。研究结果分析表明，拥有硕士学位的PNP开展了更多涉及以下方面的活动：（1）评估婴儿的身体和认知发育（p＜0.003）；（2）评估学龄前儿童的个性和社交能力（p＜0.05）；以及（3）就婴儿的身体和认知发育提供咨询和指导（p＜0.01）。拥有硕士学位的PNP似乎在实践年限方面也从评估活动数量（p＜0.04）和管理活动数量（p＜0.06）两方面都受益更多。最后，拥有硕士学位的PNP比未拥有硕士学位的PNP参与了更多的领导活动（p＜0.005）。
