Discussion Question 1 (KenCre)
The term role transition is especially important to those individuals that seek to move beyond a standard BSN certification towards a post graduate level advanced nursing practice degree. The actual process of assimilation for those who have worked in clinical direct patient care and move into advanced practice roles such as the specialization I have selected for my advanced practice training as a family nurse practitioner often becomes challenging because of the changes in expectations and the transition from following physician instructions to more leadership responsibilities and greater independence.
The first top issue emerging in this specialization includes the lack of consistent national scope of practice guidelines for family nurse practitioners. Each state regulates the parameters within which practitioners can practice and therefore the vast differences from state to state often create problems that could be resolved with the issuing of a national scope of practice that covers all states. Another emerging trend is the integration of advanced practice nurses into community-based health care centers and as part of large corporations. Nurses are currently opening businesses to help manage patients and working for Fortune 500 companies like Coca-Cola while others are innovating beyond that such as the Johnson & Johnson program, that facilitates advancing nurse-led innovation.
According to Moore (2018) the third and final trend is the significant changes in how healthcare is administered as reflected in the pop-up clinics in malls (different from clinics within drugstores) where a patient can walk in and be seen by a nurse practitioner for a small fee. These clinics have virtually no equipment because advances in technology have advanced so much that a scan immediately takes heart rate and rhythm and other vital signs and as the patient talks to the provider, the whole conversation is transcribed into the patient’s record. There is no doubt that these trends all significantly change the roles and opportunities for employment among nurses while also providing valuable benefits for patients and communities as a whole
Discussion Question 2 (LisBul)
As I look back and reflect on the knowledge, I have acquired about the role of Family Nurse Practitioners. Three issues/trends stand out to me. These include, role restriction, role strain, and the increase need for nurse practitioners in rural areas.
McInroe (2016) identified restrictive practice as one of the obstacles that may be an obstacle for further development of the nurse practitioner role. There are currently 26 states that do not allow the nurse practitioner to practice at the full extent of their education. This issue is huge for me as I will be practicing in one of those states, North Carolina. How can you undergo all the education and requirements that are required and still not be able to practice at the full extent? Do medical doctors complete all of their education and residencies and still have limited practice? Do physician assistants complete their education and are then told they have limitations? I believe the answer to both of these questions is no. I plan to be a voice and advocate for the nurse practitioner to practice at the full extent of their ability and education. We are a resource and research continues to prove our effectiveness as practitioners.
The second issue that stands out in my mind when I think of the nurse practitioner is role strain. Role strain can occur when one changes to any new job or work environment. I believe the nurse practitioner is in a position to suffer role strain due to the healthcare being dominated by medical doctors. The nurse practitioner must be aware of their role and stand up for their position in the healthcare workforce. It is also important as a new nurse practitioner to have resources, mentors that can be called upon when experiencing role strain.
Another important trend to note is that of the increasing need for nurse practitioners in rural areas. Numerous studies have shown that nurse practitioners can help to improve healthcare in rural communities (AACN, 2015). This also hits home for me because I live in a very poor area with poor access to healthcare. The nurse practitioner is in an ideal position to help reach those individuals who would otherwise not seek care.
I am still very early in my endeavors to become a nurse practitioner, so my philosophy is still being molded. At the very core of my philosophy is compassion followed by holistic care. I hope to look at my patients as people not just another person I'm going out to see or coming into my office. I want to look at every aspect of their life, emotional, physical, mental, spiritual, and then come up with a plan of care that meets their needs while encompassing their beliefs. I look forward to my journey to becoming a nurse practitioner, and I know my philosophy along the way will change, but compassion should always stay at the core of everything I do.
Discussion Question 3(AnAlt)
"Changing policy at the federal level has affected the geriatric nurses in terms of conduct and terms of service. The nurses are required to get involved in health policy and legislations amendments more so on the issues that affect their service, to improve the patient outcomes."
How are you going to get involved in health policy and legislation amendments?