NR510 Leadership and Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse : Professional Nurses

Introduction

Advanced Professional Nurses (APNs) consist of nurses who are registered with proper training and have the required certificates that help them give healthcare skills in their place of work. APNs are very important since they make sure that those who need their attention are well attended to with accordance of each person’s needs (Sheer & Wong, 2008). The scarcity of healthcare experts, there is a reason to set up changes in the nursing course curricula to make sure a great number of APNs are produced.  This allows the spaces within the health provision are well filled equally.  Professional Development Plans (PDP) refers to very crucial tools that offer diverse rationale. It acts as an insightful tool that the APN makes use of when having a considerate time to decide on which opinion they choose to take (Joel, 2013). PDP also promote self-awareness to Advanced Professional Nurses because by observing a self –evaluation the professional nurse will identify his or her strengths and weakness. Out of this, logic of career pleasure is formed as the nurse understands oneself. Lastly, PDP assists in the innovation of the guides of an individual’s career. It makes sure that the finest actions are passed to attain the required goals. (Spoelstra & Robbins, 2010, p2).

APN Scope of Practice –State of Alabama

The scope of practice for APN demonstrates roles and requirements for the situation. It is vital because it sketches guidance and rules for the APN making sure that morals and professionalism is observed in every service offered (Chamlou et al, 2009). APN practice is supported on scientific prove and can be used in all healthcare locations. Diverse scopes including mentorship, leadership, researches and health education are important in promoting the practice of APNs (Spoelstra & Robbins, 2010, p. 7). The scope the same as rules differs with accordance to states and they limit the operation of APNs. In Alabama, APNs hold more than one credentials. They are first registered nurses then are permitted to employment in capacity of advanced practice nurses. They should have both their registered nurse license and the approval of advanced practice from the Alabama Board of Nursing which recognizes four categories as follows: CNS, CNM, CRNA and CRNP.  This sociality certification and graduate degree are the basis for approval.  The board has the powers of regulating practice, making sure that the rules designed to govern the operation of APNs are carefully followed. The board gives certification for qualified members and makes sure the act regulating the Advanced Professional Nurse is adhered to (Pulcini et al., 2010). In certification, a nurse is required to pay $100 while $15 and $30 is needed for confirmation and license certificate of history respectively.  A variety of necessities may be considered for the first certification. A nurse in possession of RN license that is recent and unlimited for professional actions in commonwealth will be considered. In educational sector, the board will reflect on those in possession of doctorial and master’s degree in the nursing field.  Advanced skills, knowledge within their practices and competence derives the nurse’s scope of work. This advanced education practice is a requirement for licensure. There are some exceptions though. CRNAs that do not have a master’s degree can also be eligible for approval if they completed their study before December 31, 2003.Certified Nursing Midwifes and Certified Registered Nurse Practitioners who completed their BSN and certificate curriculum prior to 1996 are exempt from MSN degree requirement as the Board is allowed by administrative rules to waive the master’s degree condition at its discretion (Klein, 2005). Clinical nurses with completed programs in different fields of nursing where there is no certification allowed may petition the board if asked to pursue national certification Nurse anesthetists are certified through the National Board for Certification and Recertification of Nurses Anesthetists, Nurse midwives through the American Midwifery Certification Board. Alabama recognizes nurse practitioners and nurse specialists certified through American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Pediatric Nursing Certification Board and National Certification Corporation for Obstetric, Gynecological, and Neonatal Nursing Specialties. It also recognizes a few sub-specialty certifications in oncology and hospice care. Alabama however doesn’t extend reciprocity across border Advanced Practice Nurses.  Across state lines, the advanced practice registered nurses’ compact takes care of the need to offer consistent service of advanced and quality nursing care (Kleinpell et al., 2012). It also offers states a mechanism to mutually recognize Advanced Professional Nurses authority to practice.

Regulatory sufficiency concerns raised as some practitioner certification programs were clearly indicated that it was not an entry level use (Fagerstrom, 2009). Therefore, as a prerequisite to be allowed to practice as an APN, some jurisdictions require national professional body certification.

Personal assessment

The nursing practice needs some skills and knowing of the course. Being an APN the knowledge and skills are important in my performance (Chrash et al., 2011). I am required to show outstanding patient concern, examination, and professional skills, verbal skills, and consciousness and following of safe and health values in individuals. I always ask myself what I need/want to learn and what are my goals for professional development? Then is ask myself how I will attain my learning, measure my success and the most excellent way to file my plan (Rahman, 2015). Even as I set my goals, I take into account the probability of attaining them, they should cover a given period of time and should be achievable. This way, am able to regulate them by simply checking my plan often to see if I am progressing, if I need to change some goals and if there is something I need to add (Hatler et al, 2011). Importantly goals must be revised and evaluated to make sure that the career is in forward motion to avoid stagnation. An additional goal, a long term one, can be to enhance ailing persons care by advancing knowledge. Education components should also be evaluated as it is an investment to the nurse’s future.

My past experience with children, I have gained enthusiasm in children nursing that has build in me sympathy and compassion to my patients and their beloved ones (McNamara et al, 2009). I now respect diverse values, views and ethics. Being a fast learner enables have the urge of learning and adopting new situations that come across during my practice. For that reason, am determined to identify strategies to deal with my possible weaknesses and turn them to strengths. APN practice requires emotional and physical strength that I highly possess (Ketefian et al, 2011).

On the other hand, my strengths are not enduring, therefore, I ought to learn and get better skills like, patient care, side effects, contradictions, medical administration and therapeutically daily drugs to conquer with the present and ever changing patient needs (Graduatenursingedu.org, 2016). I opt to learn and improve my presentation, negation and communication skills in practicing under multi-dynamic working grounds.

Networking and marketing strategies

After certification, the next step becomes employment. This requires one to network properly; look for employment in appropriate places (Cronenwett, 2009). Nurse practitioner networks have websites that advertise job opportunities whenever they arise. Networking is very key when looking for new opportunities as people will hire those that they know. This requires practitioners to be a personality and a face (LWW, 2015). Only a name in a curriculum vitae is not enough.

APNs have various professional organizations both locally and internationally. Members learn and update themselves through them and also gain recognition through these organizations. These organizations are geared towards enlightening members on new career opportunities and job advertisements (Furlong et al., 2007). They have over time played a significant role in fighting for nurses and shaping welfare of members (Cronenwett, 2009). The ENA, ANA, NCSBN and AANP are such kind of organizations. Being a member of the above I connect with colleague practitioners thus giving me abundant networking opportunities.

Our quality of practice is improved as the organizations influence policies and support education. They also help in addressing the challenges we face in advanced practice (Blackwell & Neff, 2015). This kind of networking and feeling of belonging to some big organizations helps one think out of the box as you relate with other elites.

Curriculum vitae

Bill j. Washington

P.O Box 276545 NW 65TH PLACE

ALABAMA.  Mobile Number: 454-543-595

Email: washin.bHYPERLINK "mailto:[email protected]"@ymail.com 

Summary of qualifications:

14 years' experience as a Registered Practitioner in nursing.

Education: 2005: BSN w/Honors University of South Florida, Orlando Nursing

2010:  AS Brevard University College Cisco, AL General

2006:  CS Brevard University College Cisco, AL Nursing

Clinical Rotations: Portland Medical Center, Dawsonville, Florida.

This was a state medical center with a bed capacity of 2000. A single rotation could have 20 clinical officers working hours 8hours per day with 120 patients seen daily. Working without directions or being controlled on what to do.

Work History:

2016 – Date: Nurse Manager in Parklands Alabama mission hospital. I am of service to patients by organizing the other nurses. I am mainly responsible for hiring, nurturing and firing of the nurses. I oversee their activities and sometimes I help doctors with patient’s welfare and their families.

2013 – 2016: Pediatric nurse in Jobac, Alabama. Worked with infants and children below 6years of age. I played a basic role in doing vital tests, analyzing and assessing children behavior to know their medical needs. Treatment and follow ups thereafter.

2009 – 2013: Levine Clinic, Alabama. Assistance nurse to the doctor.

Certifications and Licensure: Alabama Board of Nursing Registered Nurse #RN1234

Hobbies: Varsity chase Team, University of Central Florida Orlando, 2012.

Nursing club chairperson in the university.

Languages: English (British)

References Available on request: Prof Pristine Hughers, A professor at the University.

Email: [email protected] 

Conclusion

21^st century nursing practice faces many challenges such as growing population of hospice patients who are extra ill and older. Costs of healthcare have significantly risen and the need to stay relevant as technological advances and medical knowledge is concerned. Advanced practice so far has played an important role in providing care to underserved populations reaching many patients and families with qualified practitioners. However existing nurses’ shortage, an aging workforce of nurses further complicates the above challenges. New models have been worked on to address this challenges in medical care delivery and restructuring of the workforce.

Summing up, from my professional development plan above, I can confidently affirm that I am on the right track as far as practice development is concerned. I will improve on my strong areas and work on my weak points to perfect my advanced practice. We play a supportive role, these roles call for various know how in patient’s observation, medical administration, prevention and disease control which I have so far acquired. With this advanced practice skills, I have acquired and will continuously work on perfecting, I am positive that I will be excellent in taking care of my patients and staying current.

References

Chrash, M., Mulich, B. & Patton, C. M. (2011). The APN role in holistic assessment and integration of spiritual assessment for advance care planning. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 23(10), 530-536.

Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Pohl, J., Barnsteiner, J., Moore, S., Sullivan, D. T., & Warren, J. (2009). Quality and safety education for advanced nursing practice. Nursing Outlook, 57(6), 338-348.

Fagerström, L. (2009). Developing the scope of practice and education for advanced practice nurses in Finland. International nursing review, 56(2), 269-272.

Joel, L. A. (2013). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essentials of Role Development. FA Davis.

Kleinpell, R. M., Hudspeth, R., Scordo, K. A., & Magdic, K. (2012). Defining NP scope of practice and associated regulations: Focus on acute care. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 24(1), 11-18.

Rahman, A. A. (2015). Development of a Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool.

Sheer, B., & Wong, F. K. Y. (2008). The development of advanced nursing practice globally. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 40(3), 204-211.

Pulcini, J., Jelic, M., Gul, R., & Loke, A. Y. (2010). An international survey on advanced practice nursing education, practice, and regulation. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 42(1), 31-39.

LWW. (2015). Why join a professional nursing organization? Nursing2015. Retrieved 4 February 2016, fromhttps://journals.lww.com/nursing/fulltext/2005/09001/why_join_a_professional_nursing_organization_.6.aspx

 Graduatenursingedu.org. (2016). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice | Standards of Practice | Prescriptive Authority. Retrieved 4 February 2016, from https://www.graduatenursingedu.org/nurse-practitioner-scope-of-practice/

McNamara, S., Giguère, V., St?Louis, L., & Boileau, J. (2009). Development and implementation of the specialized nurse practitioner role: use of the PEPPA framework to achieve success. Nursing & health sciences, 11(3), 318-325.

Chamlou, R. (2009, October). Future airborne collision avoidance—design principles, analysis plan and algorithm development. In Digital Avionics Systems Conference, 2009. DASC'09. IEEE/AIAA 28th (pp. 6-E). IEEE.

Hatler, C., Stoffers, P., Kelly, L., Redding, K., & Carr, L. L. (2011). Work unit transformation to welcome new graduate nurses: using nurses' wisdom. Nursing Economics, 29(2), 88.

 Graduatenursingedu.org. (2016). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice | Standards of Practice | Prescriptive Authority. Retrieved 4 February 2016, from https://www.graduatenursingedu.org/nurse-practitioner-scope-of-practice/