The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Network for Research (AANPNR) is a Practice- Based Research Network (PBRN). 

In mid-2002, members of the AANP formed the AANPNR, which is the first and only national NP-specific practice-based research network (PBRN).  PBRNs are designed to nurture evidence-based culture in primary care practice, engage network members in reflective inquiries about practice, and produce scientific information that is externally valid and easily assimilated into practice. The AANPNR receives support from both the AANP and the AANP Foundation, which solely fund this project.

The purpose of the AANPNR is to encourage and facilitate creative, investigator-initiated research designed to increase understanding of outcomes of primary care practice.  The PBRN's long term goals are to: a) conduct practice-based research relevant to NPs and their patients, b) facilitate translation of research to practice, c) improve the practice of primary care by NPs, and d) improve the health of primary care patients.  In addition to participation in network-sponsored projects, membership provides opportunities for members with like interests/practices to develop collaborative projects with network support.

All AANP members are eligible to join the AANPNR and participate in its projects.  The amount of involvement in the network is left up to the NP – projects vary from quick surveys to more involved studies.  This current member drive will contribute to meeting AANPNR's initial goals of: a) expansion of membership, b) testing of network communication strategies, and c) testing of processes for project design and implementation.

The majority of AANPNR members are primary care providers.  The AANPNR's broad membership and their patients provide great potential resource for future studies.  Past membership included NPs specialized in adult (29%), family (48%), geriatric (29%), and pediatric (5%) health. Members worked 6-60 hours (mean=29.5) a week in primary care settings.  Aggregately, 29%, on average, of the members' care was directed specifically towards health promotion.

Most recently, at the end of 2009, the AANPNR partnered with the Institute for Nursing Centers (INC) in their annual survey of nurse managed health centers.  INC’s database was the first national repository of data for nurse managed health centers, and their survey collected information on center location and ownership, patients served, services offered, revenues, and expenses.  By partnering with the AANPNR, INC extended its data collection efforts to NPs who practice in independent settings.

The network staff includes AANP's Director of Research and Education, Dr. Mary Jo Goolsby, who directs the AANPNR, and Kevin Traylor, Research Coordinator. Network membership forms are available on AANP's website.  To download a member form, click here.  To go directly to an online membership application, click here. After filling out this form, you will be contacted when the AANPNR begins recruiting for the next project.  If you have problems or questions with this form, contact Kevin Traylor at 512-442-4262 ext. 5223 or by email at ktraylor@aanp.org. 

With your membership, we can continue NP-initiated research that is of primary importance to nurse practitioners and their patients.  Thank you for your commitment to practice-based research and your interest in the AANPNR.