Purpose: To describe the numerous methodological challenges nurse practitioners (NPs) face in designing and conducting outcomes research and provide practical tips to implement an outcomes study within an institution.

Data sources: Review of world wide scientific literature on outcomes research.

Conclusions: Nurse practitioners must be aware of the challenges of conducting outcomes research. Challenges associated with variable definition, designing outcomes studies, use of data sets, and instrument development and selection must be understood prior to undertaking an outcome study.

Implications for practice: Valuable studies have laid a foundation for evidence of quality care provision by NPs. Now is the time to measure patient outcomes of the NP care longitudinally over significant periods of time.