Highlighting the Importance of Nurse Practitioner Fellowships in Palliative Care: A Model at the Columbia University School of Nursing.

Abstract

The field of palliative care faces an impending clinician shortage, and nurse practitioners (NPs) are well-positioned to fill this critical need. However, there are currently not enough advanced practice educational opportunities for NPs in the form of fellowships/residencies to prepare them to fill this gap, despite the demonstrated benefit of such programs on self-reported preparedness for entry to practice and corresponding patient outcomes. Palliative care fellowship opportunities are limited by a lack of funding and developmental opportunities, with many experienced NPs in the field foregoing such an experience before entering practice. The purpose of this article is to overview the yearlong palliative care fellowship at Columbia University School of Nursing, wherein the part-time structure offers fellows the opportunity to build an exceptional foundation in palliative care while balancing other professional responsibilities. Palliative care will require NP leaders who are prepared to advance the field in practice, advocacy, education, and research; NP fellowships offer a remarkable foundation to prepare NPs to lead in this regard.