The Nurse Practitioner (NP) was a new scope of practice launched by the Ministry of Health and the Nursing Council of New Zealand in May 2001.
It is an advanced nursing role that is a unique blend of nursing and medical knowledge, clinical leadership, scholarship, research, planning and advocacy.
The 50th NP was registered in 2009 and numbers are steadily increasing.
This publication celebrates New Zealand first 50 NPs and shows the vital contribution NPs can, and are already, making to the health of New Zealanders and their communities around the country.
It also demonstrates how well NPs are working with other health professionals.