The Roles of RNs, APRN-NPs, and PMHNPs in Healthcare

The Roles of RNs, APRN-NPs, and PMHNPs in Healthcare

The nursing profession epitomizes excellence in patient care. The nursing educational journey affords nurses the theoretical and practical skills required in patient care. In a dynamic healthcare landscape, where quality is the cornerstone, role definition, and accountability to optimum care are synonymous with improved quality and patient safety. The need for expansive knowledge and skills and the apparent care gaps in modern healthcare often call for advancements in nursing practice. The RN-APRN-NP role transition is a manifestation of nursing professional growth and an enabler for expanded nursing presence and enhanced participation in decision-making roles. This paper details the role definitions of RNs and APRN-NPs and their significance in the nursing professional sphere.

The Differences in Nursing Roles of RN and APRN-NP

RNs and APRN-NPs are integral to effective nursing and the overall care of patients. They both play a role in performing health evaluations and administering treatments and other medical procedures. Their roles, however, differ to some extent. RNs are licensed nursing professionals with either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in nursing. To become an RN, one must have passed an RN examination and be licensed by the state’s nursing board. RNs play a diverse role in healthcare. Their roles range from patient monitoring and education to performing diagnosis and advocating for their patients’ wellness.

On the other hand, APRN-NPs are nurse professionals with at least a master’s degree in the science of nursing. Additionally, they must have passed an NP certification exam. APRN-NPs have an expanded scope of practice. Their advanced skills and knowledge allow them to perform a wider array of medical functions. They are also involved in making clinical diagnoses and prescribing medications. In full practice states, APRN-NPs can practice independently. APRNs’ specialized training skews their roles toward determining care plans to be implemented by RNs. They also play a role in health promotion as their expertise allows them to educate patients on best practices in health preservation.

Potential Differences/Challenges Regarding Ethical Issues

APRNs, like RNs, are sometimes confronted with considerable challenges in their line of duty. Some of the challenges regarding ethical issues facing APRNs and RNs include healthcare needs versus limited resource allocation, autonomy versus beneficence, and science versus spirituality, among others.

Nurses have a role in patient care. The ethical principle of accountability requires nurses to execute their mandate and uphold professional nursing standards and values. This may, however, be compromised by limited resource allocations. With limited resources, RNs and APRNs may be unable to maintain high professional standards (Munkeby et al., 2021). Their ability to provide optimum care may be jeopardized by burnout accustomed to understaffing and poor support systems, among others.

Autonomy requires RNs and APRNs to allow their patients to make independent decisions about their health. Beneficence, on the other hand, requires them to do good to their patients. As prescribers, APRN-NPs are required to prescribe effective medications to their patients. In some instances, patients may refuse these medications. Going against caregivers’ directives presents an ethical dilemma to APRNs.

Nursing practice is science-based. RNs and APRNs, in this respect, focus on reducing the suffering of their patients by providing effective nursing care to them. However, their roles may sometimes impede the religiosity or spirituality of their patients. This is especially true when their patients have divergent beliefs on some aspects of care. APRNs, being nurse managers and health promoters, preserve the mandate to communicate to their patients the care process.

The Role of PMHNP in Health Policy and Public awareness of psychiatric mental health Trends and Issues

Psychiatric illnesses are one of the leading causes of suffering and mortality across the globe. There is a growing prevalence of these illnesses worldwide. In the pursuit of healthier communities, addressing these illnesses remains important. PMHNPs play a crucial role in mental healthcare. Their skills and knowledge allow them to diagnose, treat, and asses patients with mental health illnesses (Kumar et al., 2020). As health advocates, PMHNPs can be involved in policy-level changes targeted at bettering mental healthcare. In this respect, they can be valuable in implementing positive policies that may help improve mental healthcare. They can also be involved in the development of these policies. Their expertise, skills, and experiences in mental healthcare allow them to inform aspects of mental healthcare that may be improved to enhance the quality of mental healthcare.

As health educators, PMHNPs play a role in enhancing public awareness of mental health illnesses. Their knowledge of these illnesses and their position in healthcare allows them to engage their patients and communities in mental health education. In these roles, they will be valuable in educating these communities on various mental health illnesses, their risk factors, and the importance of healthcare seeking for persons with these illnesses (Birch et al., 2021). This may help change the public’s perceptions of these illnesses and improve their healthcare-seeking behavior.

Preparation as a PMHNP Through Education and Certification

To become a PMHNP, one must complete a graduate degree in nursing and obtain an RN license. They must also complete a master of science in nursing degree on PMHNP. Additionally, they must have completed the required supervised clinical hours in psychiatric care and earned a PMHNP certification.

Conclusion

Nurses play an important role in healthcare. RNs and APRN-NPs both play important roles in patient management. Their role, however, differs. NPs have at least a master of science degree in nursing, while RNs have either a bachelor’s degree or an associate degree in nursing. For this reason, NPs have advanced and expanded roles compared to RNs. PMHNPs, like RNs and APRN-PNs, play a significant role in healthcare. They assess and treat patients with mental health illnesses. Their skills and expertise allow them to be involved in policy-level changes in mental healthcare and public awareness of mental health illnesses.

References

Birch, K., Ling, A., & Phoenix, B. (2021). Psychiatric nurse practitioners as leaders in Behavioral Health Integration. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(1), 112–115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.001

Kumar, A., Kearney, A., Hoskins, K., & Iyengar, A. (2020). The role of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in improving mental and behavioral health care delivery for children and adolescents in multiple settings. Archives of Psychiatric Nursing, 34(5), 275–280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apnu.2020.07.022

Munkeby, H., Moe, A., Bratberg, G. H., & Devik, S. A. (2021). ‘Ethics between the lines’ – Nurses’ experiences of ethical challenges in long-term care. Global Qualitative Nursing Research, 8, 233339362110600. https://doi.org/10.1177/23333936211060036

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Discuss the role differences between an RN and APRN-NP, focusing on the psych NP role as much as possible. What is the PMHNP’s role in health policy and public awareness of psychiatric mental health trends and issues? How do your PMHNP program and the ANCC PMHNP board certification ensure you are prepared to practice professionally as a PMHNP?

The Roles of RNs, APRN-NPs, and PMHNPs in Healthcare

• Title page (APA format)
• Introduction to RN to APRN-NP role transition
• Discuss the differences in nursing roles of RN and APRN-NP.
• Discuss potential differences/challenges regarding ethical issues.
• Discuss the role of PMHNP in health policy and public awareness of psychiatric mental health trends and issues.
• Preparation as a PMHNP through education and certification
• Conclusion