This paper explores aspects of the controversy and conflict that has arisen
within the nursing and medical professions regarding the emergence of nurs
e practitioners in the United Kingdom (U.K.). Difficulties in establishing
satisfactory definitions of nurse practitioners, that allow them to be view
ed decisively either within nursing or medical occupational roles, are disc
ussed. The paper argues that the key to the debate may hinge on professiona
l and occupational boundary redefinition which is currently resisted by som
e members of both the nursing and medical professions. The idea that nurse
practitioners may be an evolving and discrete professional group. outside t
he currently accepted professional and occupational definitions of nursing
and medicine, is explored. II is argued that both nursing and medicine are
faced with a particular challenge in the nurse practitioner movement that i
s resulting in conflict as new boundaries are established. (C) 1999 Elsevie
r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.