A qualitative grounded theory approach was used in this study, which examined the attitudes of a group of emergency physicians toward collaborative practice with emergency nurse practitioners. Interviews were conducted with five physicians who were not currently working with nurse practitioners. Responses were coded, and a substantive theory model of dependent collaboration emerged. The physicians supported the emergency nurse practitioner role on the grounds that it be supervised in the traditional fashion by the physician. Concerns regarding education, trust, liability, and capability were identified. Deficits in knowledge regarding training and the role/function of nurse practitioners were also identified.