Instructions:
- Develop a personal philosophy and framework acknowledging professional and accrediting agency competencies relating to the role and scope of practice of the family nurse practitioner. Identify a nurse theorist or professional accrediting agency that provides the foundation for this philosophy development.
- Describe the type of educational courses and professional requirements required for APN professional certification and licensing within the state that you will practice in and compare to at least one other state for evaluation purposes.
- Identify the precise application process for boards, your state regulations for application for prescriptive practice, and issues related to APN practice within your state.
- Evaluate and discuss APN roles and prescriptive privileges and impact on client safety and care
- Compare the differences between prescriptive authority, credentialing, and clinical privileges and how each of these impact client safety and care
- Evaluate the development of the advanced practice nurse role from a global perspective. Compare at least 2 countries and how similar or dissimilar the APN roles are in other countries.
Parameters:
1500 words not including the cover page and references (total, not for each topic)
Follow the APA 6th edition for references and citations
Include a minimum of 6 scholarly references (does not include text or websites)
Demonstrate analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
This assignment aims to assess the competency of medical college students in the development of their personal philosophy and framework relating to the role and scope of practice of the family nurse practitioner. It will require the identification of a nurse theorist or professional accrediting agency that provides the foundation for this philosophy development. Additionally, the assignment will require a comparison of educational courses and professional requirements required for APN professional certification and licensing within the state and evaluating the APN roles, prescriptive privileges, and their impact on client safety and care. Finally, the assignment will entail evaluating the development of the advanced practice nurse role from a global perspective and comparing APN roles in at least two countries.
1. Develop a personal philosophy and framework acknowledging professional and accrediting agency competencies relating to the role and scope of practice of the family nurse practitioner. Identify a nurse theorist or professional accrediting agency that provides the foundation for this philosophy development.
Answer: Developing a personal philosophy and framework for the role and scope of practice of the family nurse practitioner is essential in establishing a solid approach to healthcare provision. My personal philosophy is founded on the American Nurses Association (ANA) scope and standards for the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) core competencies for nurse practitioners. The NONPF provides a framework for the FNP role through its nine core competencies, which includes scientific foundation, leadership, quality, safety, practice, and technology. The ANA scope and standards comprehensively describe the FNP’s role in promoting health, preventing diseases, and providing patient-centered care using a holistic approach. The ANA’s standards highlight the importance of effective communication, collaboration within the healthcare team, and ethical practice. My philosophy and framework revolve around these competencies, which enable me to provide effective, efficient, and compassionate care to my patients.
2. Describe the type of educational courses and professional requirements required for APN professional certification and licensing within the state that you will practice in and compare to at least one other state for evaluation purposes.
Answer: The educational courses and professional requirements necessary for APN certification and licensing vary by state. In the state where I plan to practice, I will have to complete a Master’s degree or higher in nursing from an accredited institution, pass the national certification exam, and hold a valid RN license. The state also requires clinical practice as a registered nurse for a specified period and evidence of continuing education for renewal of the license. In comparing this requirement to another State, California, eligible candidates must possess an active RN license, complete an accredited graduate degree program, and obtain national certification and furnishing certificate. California also requires proof of continuing education hours, which must include courses on pharmacology and controlled substance education.
3. Identify the precise application process for boards, your state regulations for application for prescriptive practice, and issues related to APN practice within your state.
Answer: To apply for certification in my state, I must submit my graduate program’s official transcripts, a completed application provided on the board of nursing’s website, a non-refundable fee, a verification of the RN license, and proof of national certification. The state regulations for application for prescriptive practice require applicants to complete a minimum of 45 contact hour courses in pharmacology and to maintain a separate certificate in pharmacology on top of certification as an APN. The main issues related to APN practice in my state include the lack of a full independent practice authority and collaborative agreements with a licensed physician.
4. Evaluate and discuss APN roles and prescriptive privileges and impact on client safety and care.
Answer: APN roles and prescriptive privileges have a significant impact on client safety and care. APNs, by nature, possess a higher level of training and education, and are more qualified to work in autonomous and collaborative practice settings. The prescriptive authority of these practitioners improves access to medication, demonstrates cost savings, and reduces healthcare disparities. The APN’s role in prescription management is guided by national, state, and organizational protocols to uphold healthcare’s best practices and ethics. These policies and procedures maintain safety, reduce prescription errors, establish administrative control for regulating through the dispensing and administering of medications, and minimize drug interactions or adverse reactions that threaten the safety of patients.
5. Compare the differences between prescriptive authority, credentialing, and clinical privileges and how each of these impacts client safety and care.
Answer: Prescriptive authority, credentialing, and clinical privileges play an essential role in client care and safety. Prescriptive authority entails the legal power granted to an APN to prescribe medications while working within his/her scope of practice. Credentialing is the process of evaluating a professional’s education, training, experience, and performance to grant him/her professional certification or licensure. Clinical privileges refer to the permission granted by an institution or hospital to clinical practitioners to administer or perform certain medical procedures or treatments. Prescriptive authority impacts client safety and care by ensuring that medications are prescribed only to qualified practitioners who have undergone training, certification, and registration. Credentialing ensures a professional can provide safe and quality care by demonstrating his/her knowledge, skills, and competence in providing care within a specific scope of practice. The clinical privilege is necessary for ensuring that practitioners practice within the parameters of their knowledge, training, and qualifications. All of these measures help to promote client care safety and reduce medical errors.
6. Evaluate the development of the advanced practice nurse role from a global perspective. Compare at least 2 countries and how similar or dissimilar the APN roles are in other countries.
Answer: The development of the advanced practice nurse roles has been quite diverse globally, with each country adopting different regulation frameworks and scopes of practice. In Canada, APNs occupy the same position and functions akin to that of the US’ nurse practitioners. The role has developed gradually, with individual provinces regulating APN’s practice styles, resulting in some differences between provinces. In the United Kingdom, APNs function in specialized areas of nursing and have equally developed their functions since their first introduction in 1967. Similarly, New Zealand’s APN roles have similarities to the US NP, albeit more extended educational accreditation programs, in addition to required certification and licensure. Despite some differences, the similarities revolve around the recognition of the APN’s autonomy, competencies, and necessary certification and licensure processes to achieve the required clinical competence.