Overview/Description: The final written assignment will synthesize what you have discovered about the different advanced practice roles and scope of practice found in the master of nursing curriculum: APRNs, nurse educator, nurse informaticist, and nurse administrator/executive. You will review all roles and then examine the specialty for which you were admitted, focusing on the scope of practice, core competencies, certification requirements, and legal aspects of practice for that specific role. You will also identify the practice environment and population you will be working with, as well as peers and colleagues. In addition, you will discuss your future leadership role and participation in professional organizations.
Your paper is to be based on current literature, standards of practice, core competencies, and certification bodies for your chosen role. The paper should be 6-8 pages excluding the title and reference pages, and APA format is required.
Week 5 Final Paper Must include:
- Introduction
- Distinguish between Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) and the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN).
- Briefly define advance nursing practice and the roles in advanced practice nursing pertaining to clinical practice, primary care, education, administration, and health information.
- Describe the advance nursing practice role you aspire to and briefly share the experiences and/or qualities you have that have influenced your decision.
- Describe your personal nursing philosophy and the model that helped you describe it.
- Examine regulatory and legal requirements for the state in which you plan to practice/work.
- Identify the required competencies (domains) and certification requirements for your selected role.
- Describe what is required to obtain certification in your selected role.
- Define Transformational Leadership as it relates to your identified leadership attributes that you possess or need to develop.
- Apply the leadership style you will embrace as an APN in primary care.
- Describe the current policy or trends related to your APN role in primary care and determine if policy or trend needs to change–if opposed to change, state the reason.
- If you determine that the above policies or trends require change, propose how APN can lead changes.
- Conclusion: Summarize your role paper by highlighting key points made in your paper.
- Your paper should be written in a clear, concise, and organized manner, demonstrating ethical scholarship in appropriate and accurate representation and attribution of sources; and displayed accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Proper APA format should be used.
Submission Details:
- Support your responses with examples.
- Cite any sources in APA format.
- Submit your document to the Submissions Area by the due date assigned.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
In the field of nursing, there are various advanced practice roles that play a vital role in the delivery of healthcare. These roles include Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) and the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). ANP refers to the level of nursing practice that goes beyond basic nursing education and licensure, while APN encompasses the specific roles within ANP, such as clinical practice, primary care, education, administration, and health information. This paper will delve into the different aspects of advanced practice nursing and focus on the role of an APN in primary care.
Distinguishing between Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) and the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN):
ANP represents the higher level of nursing practice that involves a broader scope and more specialized knowledge and skills compared to basic nursing practice. It includes roles such as clinical practice, primary care, education, administration, and health information. On the other hand, APN refers to the specific roles within ANP, focusing on direct patient care, education, and leadership in healthcare settings. APN is an umbrella term that encompasses various advanced practice roles, including nurse practitioners, nurse educators, nurse informaticists, and nurse administrators/executives.
Defining advanced nursing practice roles:
Clinical practice in advanced nursing involves providing direct patient care, diagnosing and treating illnesses, and prescribing medications under legal regulations. Primary care focuses on addressing the holistic health needs of individuals and families, including health promotion, disease prevention, and management of acute and chronic conditions. Education in advanced nursing practice involves teaching and mentoring nursing students and healthcare professionals, as well as conducting research. Administration in advanced nursing practice involves leadership and management of healthcare organizations and systems. Health informatics in advanced nursing practice involves the utilization of technology and data to enhance patient care outcomes and healthcare delivery.
Aspiring to the role of an APN in primary care:
My aspiration is to become an APN in primary care due to my passion for providing holistic and comprehensive care to individuals and their families. The experiences that have influenced my decision include working in primary care settings during my nursing education and witnessing the positive impact of nurse practitioners in addressing the healthcare needs of diverse populations. Additionally, my qualities such as empathy, strong communication skills, and critical thinking abilities align with the requirements of an APN in primary care.
Personal nursing philosophy and the model that describes it:
My personal nursing philosophy revolves around providing patient-centered care that encompasses collaboration, compassion, and evidence-based practice. The model that describes my nursing philosophy is the Person-Centered Care Model, which emphasizes the individual’s unique needs, preferences, and values in the delivery of healthcare. This model aligns with my belief in treating patients as partners in their healthcare journey and involving them in decision-making processes.
Regulatory and legal requirements for practice:
The regulatory and legal requirements for practicing as an APN in primary care vary among states. In the state I plan to practice, it is essential to hold an active registered nurse (RN) license, complete an accredited nurse practitioner program, and obtain national certification in the respective specialty area. Additionally, state-specific regulations govern the scope of practice, including the ability to diagnose and prescribe medications.
Required competencies and certification requirements:
To practice as an APN in primary care, certain competencies and certification requirements are necessary. The required competencies typically align with the domains of advanced nursing practice, including clinical practice, primary care, education, administration, and health informatics. Certification requirements involve completing a graduate-level education, gaining a specified number of clinical hours, and passing a national certification examination specific to the chosen specialty.
Obtaining certification in the selected role:
To obtain certification as an APN in primary care, it is crucial to complete a master’s or doctoral program specializing in primary care nursing. Additionally, fulfilling the clinical hours required by the certification body is vital. Finally, passing the national certification examination administered by the certifying organization is necessary to obtain formal recognition as an APN in primary care.
Transformational Leadership and its relation to identified leadership attributes:
Transformational Leadership is a leadership style that focuses on inspiring and motivating others to achieve extraordinary outcomes. In relation to my identified leadership attributes, I possess strong communication skills, empathy, and a collaborative approach, which align with the principles of Transformational Leadership. However, I also recognize the need to develop further in areas such as decision-making and strategic thinking to enhance my leadership abilities as an APN in primary care.
Applying the leadership style as an APN in primary care:
As an APN in primary care, I will embrace a Transformational Leadership style. This style will enable me to inspire and motivate both patients and colleagues to actively participate in their healthcare journey. By fostering a collaborative and empowering environment, I can facilitate optimum patient outcomes, promote professional growth among healthcare providers, and drive positive change within the primary care setting.
Current policy or trends related to APN role in primary care:
Currently, there is a growing recognition of the vital role played by APNs in primary care, particularly in addressing the increasing demand for accessible and cost-effective healthcare services. However, there are still policy barriers in some states that restrict APNs’ scope of practice, limiting their autonomy and ability to fully utilize their advanced skills. This hinders the optimal integration of APNs in primary care teams and can lead to fragmented care delivery.
Proposing changes in policy or trends:
To address the policy barriers and maximize the potential of APNs in primary care, it is crucial to advocate for changes that expand their scope of practice and grant them full practice authority. This would involve lobbying for legislative changes that remove outdated practice restrictions and acknowledge the expertise and capabilities of APNs. By doing so, APNs can contribute to improving access to high-quality primary care and positively impact population health outcomes.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the role of an APN in primary care is multifaceted, requiring advanced knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities. By embracing a patient-centered approach, fulfilling the necessary competencies and certification requirements, and advocating for policy changes, APNs in primary care can play a crucial role in addressing the healthcare needs of individuals and communities. It is through their transformative leadership and commitment to evidence-based practice that APNs can drive positive change and contribute to the advancement of healthcare delivery.
