Objective To evaluate the role of the nurse practitioner in urology and to determine the impact on the work of junior doctors.

Methods Written criteria were defined before the post-holder was appointed and subsequent performance was assessed against these criteria.

Training was provided and the quality of work was assessed by direct observation.

Senior House Officers (SHOs) were asked whether the post had increased their opportunities to attend theatre, outpatients and post-graduate training sessions and had decreased the number of'inappropriate'tasks they had to perform.

Results The nurse practitioner accomplished all the tasks that were defined before the appointment.

The assessment of patients in pre-admission and haematuria clinics was satisfactory.

The continuity of information, care of patients and counselling for patients receiving complex surgery were improved.

Sixty-three per cent of all patients seen in the pre-admission clinic and all patients in a haematuria clinic were assessed initially by the nurse practitioner.

Because the nurse practitioner was involved in setting up intravenous drug administration and infusions, administrative tasks and in obtaining results from the laboratory, the number of'inappropriate'tasks performed by the SHOs decreased and they were able to attend more sessions of training and education.

Conclusions The nurse practitioner in clinical urological practice constitutes an effective use of resources and relieves junior ...