Exploring influences on nurse practitioner role transition: A scoping review of barriers and facilitators

Background: Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in health care, addressing patient care complexity and provider shortages. However, the transition from registered nurse to NP remains a significant challenge, often characterized by role ambiguity, emotional distress, and insufficient institutional support. Objective: This scoping review aims to map key factors influencing the NP role transition, with a focus on personal, organizational, and interprofessional domains. Findings are intended to guide future policy, educational strategies, and organizational support to optimize the NP workforce integration. Data sources: Guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews, six electronic databases (Medline, PubMed, Scopus, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, ProQuest Dissertations & Theses, and Web of Science) were searched for English-language, peer-reviewed studies published from 2009 to July 2025. Conclusions: NP role transition is multifactorial and requires comprehensive support. Formal orientation programs, mentorship, preceptorship, and strong organizational support are critical to a successful role transition. Implications for practice: Health care organizations and policymakers should prioritize structured support systems to improve NP role integration, enhance job satisfaction, and contribute to better patient care outcomes.