The Future of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Kahn's article, "The Influence of Funding on the Future of Nurse Practitioner Programs" (p 106) presents the thesis that despite the effectiveness of and the need for nurse prcb actitioners, future programs are in jeopardy because funding sources are inadequate and, further, that the trend to prepare nurse practitioners at the master's level will discourage physician participation to the detriment of the program. I share some of Kahn's concerns on the former issue and challenge him on the latter. My response to Kahn's work, focusing first on the latter issue, offers information and opinion on historic, academic, and professional dimensions of the discussion; clarifies some misconceptions of the nurse practitioner movement and nursing education; and raises questions about the future.