Using the nursing interventions classification to describe the work of the nurse practitioner.
PURPOSE: To extend the specialty use research based on the Iowa Intervention Project using the Nursing Interventions Classification (NIC) and identify and the 20 most prevalent interventions described by practicing nurse practitioners (NPs). DATA SOURCES: A descriptive survey using a mailed questionnaire was sent to 1,190 NPs with prescriptive authority in Minnesota. Results are based on 414 (37%) useable responses. CONCLUSIONS: Of the 486 NIC interventions on the questionnaire, NPs reported using an average of 120 at least once per month. The 20 most frequently selected were reported by 71%-90% of respondents as being used at least once per month. Four core interventions (documentation, telephone consultation, teaching: prescribed medication, and emotional support) were common to NPs in all specialties. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Common medical coding does not reflect the nursing aspects of NP practice. As NPs attempt to define what is different about NP practice, the use of a standardized nursing language such as the NIC may facilitate this process. One clarification that needs to be made with regard to the NIC in future research with NPs is the distinction between prescribing and performing the interventions.