Professional interdependence: the art of collaboration.

Nurse-physician collaboration is critical in ensuring quality, cost-effective outcomes in patient care. As an interactive process that synthesizes and integrates the skills, expertise, and resources of individuals to accomplish a goal, collaboration is characterized by interpersonal valuing that changes the relationship and forms a foundation for future interactions. Advanced practice nurses contribute to the development of organizational cultures that foster interdisciplinary collaboration because of their advanced knowledge, skill, and clinical competence, which contributes to the development of collaborative relationships.