Nurse practitioners (NPs) are significant members of the health care team. Variation and lack of standardization in the practicum preparation of the NP has been identified as problematic. There is a need to improve NPs preparation to efficiently and independently impact health care. This project presented the 1-minute-preceptor (OMP) model as a standard tool in the practicum preparation of the NP through a preceptor-focused continuing education session. The aim of the OMP is to help ensure that students are exposed to the level of critical thinking and problem solving needed in the role of an independent, efficient NP. Knowles's adult learning theory and the educational design process model provided the theoretical framework and guided the development, implementation, and evaluation of the continuing education program. Participation in the continuing education program was voluntary. Pretests, posttests, and evaluations of the continuing education session were collected and analyzed. Ten preceptors participated in the educational session and evaluation. Based on pretest and posttest results, knowledge of the OMP model improved from 70% before the education program to 100% after the program. Participants also indicated interest in using a tool capable of ensuring an effective student-preceptor encounter, and 100% stated they would use the information presented in future preceptor–student interactions. Continuing education program evaluation results indicated participant satisfaction with the presentation. To positively impact social change, the findings of this project may be used by NPs and preceptors to effectively and efficiently impact patient outcomes early in practice.

Healthcare organizations are responding to changes in reimbursements by redesigning and re-evaluating existing programs to improve patient outcomes. .One such intervention at the project setting was the re-evaluation of the treatment of patients with low risk for chest pain and implementing a cardiology nurse practitioner (NP) service focusing on the reduction of length of stay (LOS) with the goal of improving patient outcomes. The purpose of this doctor of nursing practice project was to evaluate the effectiveness of a nurse practitioner-led service on the reduction of LOS of patients with low risk for chest pain. An established evidenced-based guideline developed by the American Heart Association for the treatment of patients with low risk for chest pain was adopted by the NP service. The project was guided by both the Donabedian model of quality care and the Aday and Anderson theory of access to medical care. The project design proposal is a comparative study using retrospective data obtained from the medical records of LOS pre- and post-implementation of the project. Implications for social change include improvement in patient care on a national level, not only for patients with low risk for chest pain, but also for patients with other chronic diseases. Streamlining care will improve the financial standing of hospitals as well as provide care that is equal and equitable regardless of race or financial status. The findings of this project have strengthened the role of the APN globally as a social advocate for change, actively participating in designing and implementing programs to improve patients' outcomes.