The expanded 3rd edition presents a comprehensive and scholarly presentation of the roles and issues related to advanced practice nursing. Specifically, it provides the practical strategies nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse midwives, case managers, and nurse anesthetists need in order to improve patient care and legitimize their roles in an ever-changing health care system. In fact, its the only text available that provides conceptually consistent definitions and complete exploration of advanced practice nursing. And with expanded coverage that further synthesizes concepts and explores new issues, this edition contains the comprehensive coverage necessary to guide advanced practice nurses. Instructor resources available; contact your sales representative for details. Time-sensitive content available on the website for easy updates Discusses all the major competencies of advanced practice nursing: direct clinical practice, consultation, coaching/guidance, research, leadership, collaboration, and ethical decision-making Offers the most wide-ranging discussion of the various roles in advanced practice nursing All chapters on competencies include in-depth discussions on educational strategies to allow faculty and students to see how the competencies are developed as the nurse progresses in practice Provides a particularly unique and pragmatic model for understanding the research utilization, interpretation, and conduct competency of the advanced practice nurse Discussion of role development is thorough, current, and research-based, clearly explaining the career trajectory that advanced practice nurses can anticipate Conceptual framework places competencies, roles, and challenges posed by the turbulent health care environment in clear relationship to each other Provides strategies related to business management, contracting, and marketing Explores Evolving Roles and Innovative Opportunities for the advanced practice nurse Focus on Scope of Practice, Certification, and Legal Ramifications in clinical practice Contains sample collaborative agreements and contracts that provide illustrated examples for the advanced practice nursing student Increased emphasis on evidence-based practice to help improve patient care Community-focused content included in several chapters Expanded Instructors Resource package facilitates the teaching experience