Advanced Practice Nursing and Advanced Practice Nurse

Advanced Practice Nursing and Advanced Practice Nurse

Advanced nursing practice is influential in the transformation of the healthcare sector. Advanced practice nurses possess enormous competencies, skills, and good leadership abilities reaped from their comprehensive training. Due to the increasing developments in the healthcare sector, there is an increasing need for patient-centered care, which is holistic and evidence-based care. The broad base of knowledge from advanced practice nurses helps them meet these needs in healthcare by offering preventive and health-promotive care. Their roles, scope of practice, leadership styles, and legal requirements and certifications are elucidated in this paper.

Distinguishing between Advanced Nursing Practice and Advanced Practice Nurse

Advanced Nursing Practice

Nursing generally involves applying theory and skills acquired after completing a standard nurse training program to protect, promote, and optimize health. The scope of nursing includes activities that prevent illness, promote health, provide treatment, and support rehabilitation through compassionate care. Advanced nursing practice builds on this foundational training by incorporating advanced knowledge in specialized areas, often obtained through higher education such as master’s or doctoral degrees. Advanced practice nurses possess deeper expertise in specific fields compared to those with only basic training. Examples of advanced practice nurses include ICU nurses, oncology nurses, anesthetic nurses, theater nurses, midwives, and renal nurses (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023).

Advanced Practice Nurse

Any registered nurse who has completed advanced training beyond the general nursing program is an advanced practice nurse, typically at the doctoral or master’s level. These nurses provide highly specialized care in four primary roles within the clinical setting. First, nurse practitioners diagnose and manage conditions within their specialty. Second, clinical nurse specialists focus on researching and improving care delivery methods and implementing evidence-based findings. Third, certified registered nurse anesthetists are skilled in providing anesthesia during surgical procedures. Lastly, certified nurse midwives specialize in reproductive health services such as gynecological and urological problems, child spacing, pre-, intra-, and post-delivery care (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023).

As stated above, advanced nursing practice (ANP) is distinct from advanced practice nurse (APN). ANP refers to the act of delivering specialized care, whereas APN denotes a nurse who is certified to provide this specialized care.

The Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

Holistic care should be offered to the patients, aiming to address all aspects of their patients, like the physiological, emotional, spiritual, social, and psychological needs. In order to attain this type of care, advanced nurse practitioners collaborate with other health professionals in various settings, as detailed below. In a clinical setting, nurse practitioners engage with other specialists to collaboratively provide holistic care aimed at addressing the health needs of their clients. They provide primary care, manage patients requiring comprehensive care within the areas of their expertise, and link their patients to other healthcare services. Additionally, APNs take on educational roles, teaching nursing students, designing curricula, and exploring ways to improve healthcare systems. Their advanced knowledge positions them well for administrative duties, such as overseeing staff, managing operations, and ensuring compliance with the set standards. Also, APNs actively participate in health information technology by analyzing data and implementing changes in the health systems that steer the improvement of the quality of patient care (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023).

The Role Intended to Be Acquired

My aspirations are focused on becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). FNPs use their advanced knowledge and skills to independently address the diverse health needs of families without supervision by physicians (Dantas et al., 2023). They formulate diagnoses and implement the required interventions for their clients. Regardless of their autonomous decision-making, FNPs may, at times, be required to collaborate with other healthcare stakeholders in order to provide holistic care that addresses all life aspects of their clients. My exposure and exploration in the clinical setting have equipped me with fine skills in patient assessment, dosage prescriptions, and performing procedures. Attaining job satisfaction without any supervision or any external compelling factors is my highest goal. The autonomy enjoyed by FNPs inspires me to pursue this role through South University Online (SOU). My desire is driven by a broad understanding of emerging health issues and current trends, interdisciplinary collaboration, and an increased need for patient advocacy. I possess qualities such as teamwork, innovativeness, creativity, problem-solving skills, good communication skills, self-motivation, resilience, and cultural competence. These attributes align with the competencies required for a family nurse practitioner (Dantas et al., 2023).

Personal Philosophy

Furthermore, my philosophy is to build therapeutic relationships with patients, promote health, utilize evidence-based practices, and advocate for health equity. Also, as a family nurse practitioner, I intend to practice patient-centered care, which holistically caters to all dimensions of life, including the social, emotional, psychological, and spiritual. I believe that learning is a dynamic process that should occur on a daily basis, and hence, one should always be updated with the current evidence-based practice. My key principles are multidisciplinary collaboration, ethical practice, and cultural sensitivity. My personal philosophy is grounded in the holistic nursing theory (Thornton, 2019).

Regulatory and Legal Requirements

Family nurse practitioners provide optimal care by adhering to state guidelines and standards enshrined in the regulations and legal requirements of an FNP. In Florida, where I plan to work, these laws cover education, licensure, certification, and professional practice. First, one must have a master’s degree in an advanced family setting. Additionally, obtaining an active registered nurse license in Florida requires verification of graduation from an accredited institution by the Florida Board of Nursing. Certification must be from the American Association of Nurse Practitioners board. The scope of practice guides the functioning of family nurse practitioners, and any deviation can result in legal consequences. Two-year license renewal is a requirement for FNPs, along with engaging themselves in continuous education through research to stay updated with current medical issues and new trends (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2023). Legal compliance involves adhering to regulations set by relevant bodies and practicing ethical principles outlined by the American Nurses Association.

Requirements and Competencies for One to Become a Family Nurse Practitioner

In the provision of high-standard family care that is guided by available evidence, one must possess the necessary knowledge and apply skills that help them deliver effective care and ultimately meet a patient’s expectations. These elements form the foundation for required competencies and specific certifications. The competencies are categorized as follows:

1. Educational Competencies: A post-graduate degree from an institution using an approved curriculum by the regulatory institutions.
2. Certification: National certification and passing a certification exam
3. Licensure: Obtaining licensure from the appropriate licensing body to become either a registered nurse or an advanced practice registered nurse
4. Clinical capabilities: Demonstrating the ability to perform necessary services and manage various patients to meet their health needs
5. Professional Competencies: Displaying ethical practices, effective communication, and collaboration skills
6. Specialized Competencies: Being technologically proficient at incorporating advancements into practice and specializing in caring for specific populations such as the elderly, pediatrics, and the terminally ill. Additionally, possessing skills in advocacy and leadership (Schlunegger et al., 2022).

As a family nurse practitioner, demonstrating these competencies ensures the ability to deliver superior care and adapt to current healthcare trends.

Transformational Leadership Style

Transformational leadership is the most effective approach because it inspires and motivates staff to reach their full potential and exceed expectations. Its primary focus is on creating a supportive work environment that fosters professional development and collaboration. Nurses who adopt this leadership style proactively recognize and address their clients’ needs. This approach encourages continuous learning and professional growth, helping nurses maintain high standards of patient care (Collins et al., 2020). My leadership attributes aligned with this model include visionary thinking, inspirational motivation, intellectual stimulation, and individualized consideration. However, I need to develop and enhance my emotional intelligence, resilience, and delegation skills.

Applying Transformational Leadership as an APN in Primary Care

The primary care role of an APN fosters transformational change in various ways. For example, they establish and promote a holistic, patient-centered care model that emphasizes preventive care, health education, and community wellness. Additionally, they motivate the healthcare team through a transformational leadership style to manage clients effectively. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) also use transformational leadership to ensure continuous improvement and the adoption of evidence-based practices, enhancing patient outcomes. Lastly, in primary care, this leadership style helps provide personalized care by recognizing and addressing the unique needs of each patient with customized health plans and interventions (Collins et al., 2020).

Current Policy/Trends in APN Role in Primary Care

Recent developments in advanced practice nursing (APN) focus on broadening the scope of practice to enable greater independence from physician supervision, integrating telehealth services, and transitioning towards value-based care models that prioritize quality and patient outcomes. These shifts aim to enhance overall patient health and access to care. Continued advocacy efforts are necessary to empower all APNs to utilize their extensive training and capabilities fully, thereby improving primary care accessibility, particularly in rural regions.

How APNs Can Lead Changes

APNs undergo a comprehensive curriculum that provides them with the competencies and skills necessary to lead and implement changes effectively. Their advanced advocacy skills enable them to engage in policy development and drive the implementation of changes. Additionally, their broad knowledge base allows them to educate and raise awareness among other stakeholders about the changes they aim to implement. APNs’ extensive research skills enable them to recommend evidence-based changes, positioning them well to ensure successful implementation. Furthermore, APNs are excellent team players and can lead changes through collaboration with other disciplines.

Conclusion

From the above discussion, it has been evident that advanced practice nurses are essential team players in the advancement and transformation of the entire healthcare system. They address the complex needs of diverse populations using the advanced knowledge gained from their training. Through the adoption of the transformational style of leadership, the APNs inspire and motivate healthcare teams and advocate for policy changes. The increasing demand for accessible quality care further necessitates the role of APNs in the health sector. The leadership skills, education, and innovativeness of APNs help them positively influence the current health of their patients as well as form a strong background for their future health. Their adoption of best nursing theories enables advanced practice nurses to display virtues such as resilience, excellence, and compassion while maintaining a therapeutic relationship with their patients.

References

Collins, E., Owen, P., Digan, J., & Dunn, F. (2020). Applying transformational leadership in nursing practice. Nursing Standard, 35(5), 59–66. https://doi.org/10.7748/ns.2019.e11408

Dantas, M., Pereira, I., Luana Souza Freitas, Karine, S., Sonenberg, A., & Katherinne, I. (2023). Family nurse practitioners: An exploratory study. Revista Da Escola de Enfermagem Da USP, 57. https://doi.org/10.1590/1980-220x-reeusp-2022-0362en

Schlunegger, M. C., Aeschlimann, S., Palm, R., & Zumstein‐Shaha, M. (2022). Competencies of nurse practitioners in family practices: A scoping review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 32(11-12). https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16382

Toney-Butler, T. J., & Martin, R. L. (2023, January 2). Florida nursing laws and rules. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532859/

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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.

Advanced Practice Nursing and Advanced Practice Nurse

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 advanced nursing practice and the roles in advanced practice nursing pertaining to clinical practice, primary care, education, administration, and health information.
• Describe the advanced 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 display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Proper APA format should be used.