Terms of employment:

• Statement of employment:
  
  
  • This statement indicates that the employing organization agrees to employ you in a specific position.
    
    
  • Your position should be stated (i.e., family nurse practitioner, pediatric nurse practitioner, nurse midwife). It is suggested that nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists designate their particular specialty area, thus facilitating the development of a scope of practice that accurately reflects educational preparation. If your specialty requires certification (which most do), it may also be beneficial to specifically identify oneself as certified (i.e., certified family nurse practitioner, certified pediatric nurse practitioner, certified nurse midwife).
    
    
  • Certification requirements represent an individual's commitment to remain current in his or her specialty through continued educational endeavors. This may influence your ability to negotiate continuing education funding.
  
  
  
• Terms of the agreement:
  
  
  • These terms specify the length of time a contract is in effect and the way the contract renewal process works.
    
    
  • Most contracts are for a one-year period with renewal occurring from year to year, generally upon mutual consent of the parties involved.
  
  
  
• Job description:
  
  
  
  • This description defines your professional duties and responsibilities.
    
    
  • Give this area particular attention, as your understanding of the APN role may not concur with a potential employers. Remember, you are an authority in this area and are responsible for assuring that the delineated duties and responsibilities accurately reflect your role and educational preparation.
    
    
  • A thorough, concise job description will influence negotiations regarding compensation, expenses, paid time off, facilities support and malpractice.
    
    
  • Some excellent resources for preparing a job description include:
    
    
    
    • The web site for the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) - Review the AANP "Standards of Practice" and "Scope of Practice for Nurse Practitioners." Please note that these references are listed under the main menu item: Academy Publications.
      
      
    • The web site for the American Nurses Association - Review an excellent overview of advanced practice nursing: "Advance Practice Nursing: A New Age in Health Care."
      
      
    • Consider sharing these resources with potential employers.
  
  
  
• Loyalty clause:
  
  
  • These clauses are often included in contracts by employers.
    
    
  • Such clauses give the employer authority to approve or not approve an employee providing similar services to another employer.
  
  
  
• Organization supervision/performance review:
  
  
  • These two components are often interrelated.
    
    
  • The most critical component in this area is an assurance that organizational structure allows supervision and evaluation by a person or persons familiar with your role and responsibilities.
    
    
  • Additionally, appropriate evaluation criteria is important. Standards for appraising the job performance of the advanced practice nurse should not just replicate those used for a physician or staff nurse.