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Abstract  Aim.  To draw on empirical evidence to illustrate the core role of nurse practitioners in Australia and New Zealand.

Background.  Enacted legislation provides for mutual recognition of qualifications, including nursing, between New Zealand and Australia. As the nurse practitioner role is relatively new in both countries, there is no consistency in role expectation and hence mutual recognition has not yet been applied to nurse practitioners. A study jointly commissioned by both countries’ Regulatory Boards developed information on the core role of the nurse practitioner, to develop shared competency and educational standards. Reporting on this study's process and outcomes provides insights that are relevant both locally and internationally.

Method.  This interpretive study used multiple data sources, including published and grey literature, policy documents, nurse practitioner program curricula and …