We believe that nurse practitioner role mastery should occur through supplementation of former roles, beginning early and continuing throughout the entire educational process, rather than through realignment to a new role. The educational process should therefore enable the student to identify with and build upon her role as a nurse, rather than abandoning it and adapting to a new quasi-role. If role mastery is to occur by gradual assimilation rather than by abrupt change, a nursing model is needed on which both preparation for and practice in the role can be based. The adaptation model provides the necessary framework to give direction to practitioner education; offers a relevant way of viewing the older adult in relation to his environment; and delineates guidelines for nurse practitioner action.