Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have extraordinary opportunities in acute and critical care settings. However, new obstacles accompany these opportunities and these obstacles can needlessly hamper APN practice and reduce the APN’s contributions to patient care. Contributions by APNs can be maximized by deliberately and thoughtfully creating a practice culture that is APN-friendly. This article analyzes eight characteristics important to creating the APN-friendly culture: clarity of vision and values, commitment, communication, collaboration, credibility, contributions, confidence, and complexity. Creating an APN-friendly culture is a worthwhile organizational investment in order to enhance optimal APN practice and to benefit patients and families.

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©2005 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
2005
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