Supporting program rigor in newly developed specialty academic programs: Use of a self-evaluation reporting tool for emergency nurse practitioner academic programs

Abstract

The emergency nurse practitioner (ENP) specialty has grown rapidly, responding and adapting to changes in emergency care. Designation and advancement of nurse practitioner (NP) specialties follows a systematic process as defined by the profession. This includes establishment of scope and standards of practice, educational standards, and policy initiatives to ensure quality and safety within the profession. This article serves to detail a process of self-evaluation for newly developed ENP academic programs, including resources and key documents to be considered in the development of NP specialty programs. A transformative tool is included that serves as a model for use in development and self-evaluation of other emerging graduate academic NP specialty programs.