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educate patients and their families on managing their health conditions. They often serve as the primary healthcare provider for their patients, focusing on building long-term relationships and providing holistic, patient-centered care in various settings such as clinics, private practices, assisted living facilities, and home healthcare.  

Why I am Becoming a Nurse Practitioner:

My motivation to become a Nurse Practitioner is rooted in several key factors:

• Desire for Increased Autonomy and Responsibility: As an NP, I will have the advanced clinical skills and knowledge to independently assess, diagnose, and manage a wide array of health conditions in the adult and older adult populations. This expanded scope of practice will allow me to provide more comprehensive and continuous care to my patients in Kenya.
• Commitment to Preventative Care and Health Promotion: I believe in the power of proactive healthcare. The AGPCNP role emphasizes health education, lifestyle counseling, and strategies to prevent disease and promote wellness across the adult lifespan, which aligns with my passion for empowering individuals to take charge of their health in Kenyan communities.  
• Addressing Healthcare Access Gaps in Kenya: Nurse Practitioners, particularly in primary care, play a vital role in increasing access to quality healthcare, especially in underserved areas of Kenya where physician shortages may exist. I am committed to contributing to bridging these gaps and ensuring more individuals receive the care they need.  
• Building Meaningful Patient Relationships: The NP model of care often allows for more in-depth interactions with patients, fostering stronger therapeutic relationships built on trust and understanding. This patient-centered approach is crucial for effective care and improved adherence to treatment plans within the Kenyan cultural context.
• Contributing to Improved Health Outcomes: By providing comprehensive primary care, managing chronic conditions effectively, and focusing on prevention, I aim to contribute to improved health outcomes and a better quality of life for the adult and older adult populations in Kenya.

Summary of a Research Article on the Nurse Practitioner Role:

A relevant research article is “Role of Nurse Practitioners in Caring for Patients With Complex Health Needs” published in JAMA Network Open (2020) by Fraze et al. This study examined the characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries cared for by Nurse Practitioners (NPs) compared with physicians.  

The study found that NPs are increasingly caring for Medicare beneficiaries with complex health needs, often at rates that match or exceed those of their physician colleagues. Specifically, a higher proportion of beneficiaries cared for by NPs had three or more chronic conditions compared to those predominantly cared for by physicians. Furthermore, NPs were more likely to be the predominant provider for beneficiaries in practices owned by health systems.  

This research highlights the expanding role of NPs in managing complex patients, which is particularly relevant in the context of an aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases in Kenya. It underscores the capacity of NPs to provide care to individuals with significant healthcare needs and suggests their growing importance in healthcare delivery systems.

What the Institute Of Medicine (IOM) Says About the Need for Nurse Practitioners:

The Institute of Medicine (now the National Academy of Medicine) has issued several influential reports, most notably “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health” (2010), which strongly advocate for the critical role and increased utilization of Nurse Practitioners and other Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).  

The IOM emphasized the need for nurses, including NPs, to practice to the full extent of their education and training. The report called for the removal of legal, regulatory, and institutional barriers that limit NP scope of practice, preventing them from fully contributing to meeting the nation’s (and by extension, global) healthcare demands. The IOM highlighted the potential of NPs to improve access to care, enhance quality, and promote cost-effectiveness, particularly in primary care and underserved areas. They advocated for policies that support NP autonomy, including independent practice authority and equitable reimbursement for their services. The IOM recognized that the evolving healthcare landscape, with its increasing focus on primary care, prevention, and chronic disease management, requires the skills and expertise of NPs to their fullest capacity.  

Effects as an Advanced Practice Nurse in Terms of Healthcare Industry and Patient Outcomes in Kenya:

As an AGPCNP in Kenya, I anticipate having the following effects:

Healthcare Industry:

• Increased Access to Primary Care: By establishing practices in underserved communities or expanding services within existing facilities, I will contribute to increased access to essential primary healthcare services for adults and older adults in Kenya.
• Improved Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness: NPs can provide high-quality care for many conditions at a potentially lower cost than physician-led care, contributing to a more efficient and cost-effective healthcare system in Kenya.
• Filling Provider Gaps: In areas facing shortages of physicians, particularly in primary care, NPs can help fill these critical gaps, ensuring a more adequate healthcare workforce for the Kenyan population.  
• Strengthened Interprofessional Collaboration: I will actively collaborate with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, fostering a team-based approach to care that leverages the unique expertise of each discipline to benefit patients in Kenya.
• Promotion of Evidence-Based Practice: As an APRN educated in research and best practices, I will contribute to the implementation of evidence-based guidelines, ensuring that patients in Kenya receive the most effective and up-to-date care.

Patient Outcomes:

• Enhanced Patient-Centered Care: My focus will be on understanding the individual needs and preferences of my patients, developing personalized care plans, and empowering them to actively participate in their health management within the Kenyan cultural context.
• Improved Management of Chronic Diseases: I will provide comprehensive and ongoing management of chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, aiming to improve patient outcomes, reduce complications, and enhance their quality of life in Kenya.
• Increased Focus on Prevention and Wellness: Through education, screening, and lifestyle counseling tailored to the Kenyan context, I will empower adults and older adults to adopt healthy behaviors and prevent the onset or progression of illness.
• Higher Patient Satisfaction: The patient-centered approach, coupled with increased access and potentially longer consultation times, can lead to greater patient satisfaction with their healthcare experience in Kenya.