Conclusion
This research has explicated the core role of the NP in
Australia and New Zealand. We have demonstrated that the
core role is characterized by three practice domains, namely:
dynamic practice, professional efficacy and clinical leadership.
Whilst the study is limited by the relative newness of the
role of the NP in Australia and New Zealand, it is also
enhanced by this opportunity to capture the emergence of a
new level of health service as it is being implemented
through professional orientation and legislative protection.
Hence, this project has allowed us to capture the somewhat
unique nature of the role of NP, as it is being developed
and implemented in Australia and New Zealand. The
introduction of this new role with legal title protection
presents potential for the nursing profession to make a
novel and coherent contribution to health service reform in
Australia and New Zealand. This paper reports one part of
a larger study aimed at addressing inconsistencies created
by disparate definitions and aligning education and
regulation towards creating a coherent role that is
recognizable between the two countries and potentially
internationally.