The Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse in a Changing Health Care Environment
Analyze the role of the advanced practice nurse in the changing health care environment. How will this role augment physicians’ practice? What implications will the Affordable Care Act have on this new delivery system?
Use 3 peer reviewed articles
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Introduction:
The role of the advanced practice nurse (APN) is rapidly evolving as the healthcare environment changes. The APN has a unique set of skills that can augment physicians’ practice and improve the delivery of patient care. In this context, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) has brought about several changes that have significant implications for the APN’s new delivery system. In this article, we will analyze the role of the APN in the changing healthcare environment and how it will augment physicians’ practice. We will also discuss the implications of the ACA on this new delivery system.
Answer:
The advanced practice nurse (APN) plays an increasingly essential role in the current healthcare environment. As healthcare systems continue to evolve and advance, APNs’ professional skills and expertise can help streamline healthcare delivery and improve patient outcomes. Specifically, APNs’ advanced level of education and training enable them to diagnose, manage, and treat a wide range of healthcare concerns that traditionally lie within the scope of physicians’ practice. By leveraging these skills, the APN’s role can function as a valuable asset to the healthcare team, augmenting the physicians’ practice and helping to improve patient care.
The ACA has had a significant impact on healthcare delivery, including creating new opportunities for APNs. The Act has provided support for new delivery models, such as patient-centered medical homes and accountable care organizations, which rely heavily on APNs’ skills and expertise. The ACA also expanded the scope of services that APNs can provide, making it easier for them to practice to the full extent of their training and education. Consequently, this new delivery system offers exciting new opportunities for APNs to provide high-quality, cost-effective care to patients.
To conclude, the APN’s role in the changing healthcare environment has increased significantly, and it will continue to evolve as healthcare systems advance. Although the role of physicians in healthcare remains vital, APNs’ ability to augment physicians’ practice with their advanced level of education and training enables an enhanced healthcare delivery system. The ACA provides a supportive framework for this new delivery system, enabling APNs to play a more prominent role in providing high-quality, cost-effective care.
