Primary care practices are looking at methods of providing quality car
e for an increasing number of patients, and one method of achieving th
is goal is the development of a collaborative agreement with a physici
an(s) and nurse practitioner(s). There is a need for information about
the role of the nurse practitioner and the advantages of collaboratio
n. This article reviews the history of the nurse practitioner movement
, practice standards, and the scope of practice for nurse practitioner
s. Models of collaborative practice and the advantages of these models
are discussed. Considerations for entering into collaborative practic
e are addressed also.