We are thrilled to announce the release of the Emergency Nurse Practitioner Scope and Standards of Practice (Davis & Evans, 2023) book by the American Academy of Emergency Nurse Practitioners (AAENP). Edited by distinguished experts in the field, Drs. Wesley Davis and Dian Evans, this seminal work is a significant milestone for emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs), offering a comprehensive guide to the evolving role of nurse practitioners (NPs) in emergency care settings. In an era where emergency care demands advanced skills and adaptability, this book serves as an indispensable professional resource for ENPs. The book outlines the standards of care and scope of practice, providing a solid foundation for clinical practitioners and those engaged in academic preparation.

Scope of practice delineates the boundaries within which a health care professional may practice. Scope of practice defines the procedures, actions, and processes within their expertise. Standards of practice set the level of care and professional performance expected in a given role. Standards serve as benchmarks for evaluating the quality of care provided by practitioners. Together, the scope and standards provide a framework that not only guides ENPs in delivering high-quality care but also establishes a foundation for accountability and consistency across the profession. The Emergency Nurse Practitioner Scope and Standards of Practice book is a cornerstone in shaping the identity and advancing the practice of ENPs.

The text is a collective effort, bringing together leaders in ENP practice from diverse settings nationwide. The book discusses the professional expectations of ENPs, offering detailed insights for educators, regulatory bodies, and practicing NPs. The book charts ENP standards of practice, competencies, and academic requirements, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the ENP role within the broader health care team.

One of the book's strengths lies in its exploration of the dynamic nature of ENP practice. The text serves as a guide, not only detailing the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for providing safe and holistic emergency care but also acknowledging the ever-evolving landscape of health care. As emergency care continues to evolve, this publication equips ENPs with the necessary tools to stay at the forefront of their field.

The book also includes the most recent competencies for ENPs (Davis et al., 2022), a detailed history of the evolution of the ENP role, considerations for ENP practice, including full practice authority and participation in emergency medical services, and a thorough examination of ENP program academic curriculum design (Wilbeck et al., 2017). Furthermore, it provides a valuable resource for understanding the AAENP academic program validation process (Davis et al., 2023), complete with supplementary evaluation criteria.

This book is a groundbreaking contribution to the field of emergency care. As the health care landscape continues to evolve, this publication ensures that ENPs are well-equipped to meet the challenges and deliver high-quality, patient-centered care. The Emergency Nurse Practitioner Scope and Standards of Practice book is not only a testament to the dedication of the editors and contributors but also a crucial resource that will undoubtedly shape the future of NPs working in emergency care.

—Wesley D. Davis, DNP, ENP-C,
FNP-C, AGACNP-BC, CEN, FAANP, FAEN
Family & Emergency Nurse Practitioner
Program Coordinator and Associate
Professor
College of Nursing
University of South Alabama
Mobile, Alabama

—Dian Dowling Evans, PhD, FNP-BC,
ENP-C, FAANP, FAAN
Professor Emeritus
Emergency Nurse Practitioner Program
Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff
School of Nursing
Atlanta, Georgia

Davis W., Evans D. (Eds). (2023). Emergency nurse practitioner scope and standards of practice. Springer. Davis W. D., Gibbons Hallman M., Wilbeck J. (2023). Aligning emergency nurse practitioner programs using a national validation process. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 19(7), 104653. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104653 Davis W. D., Hallman M. G., Denke N. J., House D. T., Switzer D. F., Wilbeck J. (2022). A collaboration to unify emergency nurse practitioner competencies. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 18(8), 889–892. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2022.06.014 Wilbeck J., Roberts E., Rudy S. (2017). Emergency nurse practitioner core educational content. Advanced Emergency Nursing Journal, 39(2), 141–151. doi:10.1097/TME.0000000000000142