The role of the Nurse Practitioner

In many countries, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) has been developed to meet the demands of a constantly changing and growing healthcare industry.    In the United States, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse was initially developed with the inception of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and the Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA).  
However, advanced practice nursing has since grown to include the Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and, most recently, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CLN).  While all of these roles are an important component of our healthcare system, it is the role of the Nurse Practitioner that is responsible for direct clinical care.   
With the role first developed in 1965, Nurse Practitioners have long demonstrated their skill in providing care that is not only high quality but also considered cost effective.   With a high demand for clinical services, Nurse Practitioners also provide care to patients who may not otherwise be able to see a physician.  
It is estimated that it would take an additional 16, 585 Nurse Practitioners to meet the health care needs of the United State (Keough, et al., 2011).  Clearly, the role is one that will continue to flourish.  
Working independently or with a collaborating physician, the Nurse Practitioner provides a wide range of health services to an ever-growing patient population.  These services include health prevention, primary care, and urgent or specialized acute care.  
Within the Nurse Practitioner designation, there are several specialty certifications which include the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), the Acute and Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), the Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), and the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP).  
As evidenced with the broad range of specialty certifications, the patient population who may benefit from the care of a Nurse Practitioner varies from neonates to geriatrics.
Regardless of the specialty certification, the Nurse Practitioner’s skill set expands upon their basic foundation of nursing care to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage disease processes.
Due to this broad range of services, Nurse Practitioners are utilized in a variety of health settings.  Currently, Nurse Practitioners work in primary and specialty care practices, corporate offices, schools, universities and hospitals.  
Like any healthcare professional, the role of the Nurse Practitioner requires specialized education.  First, one must complete a Bachelor’s of Nursing Science (BSN) degree.  
Some programs then require 2-3 years of specialized practice prior to applying for a Master’s of Science (MSN) program with advanced practice curriculum.   
The MSN curriculum provides the NP student with advanced education and training in many areas such as pathophysiology, pharmacology and clinical research.  The curriculum also provides a focused practicum to provide the NP student with experience in their area of specialty.  
For example, a student enrolled in a PNP program might complete clinical rotations in a pediatrician’s office, local school, and/or pediatric intensive care unit.  
The objective of the clinical practicum is to provide the NP student with as much direct clinical experience as possible.  Once the MSN is completed, the student is eligible to sit for the licensing exam.
 The licensing exam is held by a national certifying body and is specific to the area of practice.  Once certified, the Nurse Practitioner must then apply for state licensure and prescriptive authority.  Depending upon the area of practice, there may be other licensure requirements as well.  
To enter into collaborative practice, the Nurse Practitioner must also enter into an agreement with his or her supervising physicians.  This agreement delineates the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Practitioner, in conjunction with the physician collaboration.
Recently, there has been some debate as to the benefits of raising the minimum entry into practice to a doctorate degree.   While not currently required, it is very likely that individual who wish to practice as a Nurse Practitioner will need to complete a doctorate degree in the future.  
As researched and developed by Ann Hamric, The Nurse Practitioner role centers around several core competencies.  These competencies include clinical practice which is balanced in ethical decision-making, physician collaboration, expert coaching and guidance, multidisciplinary consultation, research skills and professional leadership.   
With these competencies in practice, the Nurse Practitioner offers patients a unique and holistic approach to their health needs.

 

 

The role of the Nurse Practitioner

In many countries, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) has been developed to meet the demands of a constantly changing and growing healthcare industry. In the United States, the role of the Advanced Practice Nurse was initially developed with the inception of Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM) and the Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). However, advanced practice nursing has since grown to include the Nurse Practitioner (NP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and, most recently, the Clinical Nurse Leader (CLN). While all of these roles are an important component of our healthcare system, it is the role of the Nurse Practitioner that is responsible for direct clinical care. With the role first developed in 1965, Nurse Practitioners have long demonstrated their skill in providing care that is not only high quality but also considered cost effective. With a high demand for clinical services, Nurse Practitioners also provide care to patients who may not otherwise be able to see a physician. It is estimated that it would take an additional 16, 585 Nurse Practitioners to meet the health care needs of the United State (Keough, et al., 2011). Clearly, the role is one that will continue to flourish. Working independently or with a collaborating physician, the Nurse Practitioner provides a wide range of health services to an ever-growing patient population. These services include health prevention, primary care, and urgent or specialized acute care. Within the Nurse Practitioner designation, there are several specialty certifications which include the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP), the Acute and Critical Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), the Family Practice Nurse Practitioner (FNP), the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP), the Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP), and the Geriatric Nurse Practitioner (GNP). As evidenced with the broad range of specialty certifications, the patient population who may benefit from the care of a Nurse Practitioner varies from neonates to geriatrics. Regardless of the specialty certification, the Nurse Practitioners skill set expands upon their basic foundation of nursing care to prevent, diagnose, treat and manage disease processes. Due to this broad range of services, Nurse Practitioners are utilized in a variety of health settings. Currently, Nurse Practitioners work in primary and specialty care practices, corporate offices, schools, universities and hospitals. Like any healthcare professional, the role of the Nurse Practitioner requires specialized education. First, one must complete a Bachelors of Nursing Science (BSN) degree. Some programs then require 2-3 years of specialized practice prior to applying for a Masters of Science (MSN) program with advanced practice curriculum. The MSN curriculum provides the NP student with advanced education and training in many areas such as pathophysiology, pharmacology and clinical research. The curriculum also provides a focused practicum to provide the NP student with experience in their area of specialty. For example, a student enrolled in a PNP program might complete clinical rotations in a pediatricians office, local school, and/or pediatric intensive care unit. The objective of the clinical practicum is to provide the NP student with as much direct clinical experience as possible. Once the MSN is completed, the student is eligible to sit for the licensing exam. The licensing exam is held by a national certifying body and is specific to the area of practice. Once certified, the Nurse Practitioner must then apply for state licensure and prescriptive authority. Depending upon the area of practice, there may be other licensure requirements as well. To enter into collaborative practice, the Nurse Practitioner must also enter into an agreement with his or her supervising physicians. This agreement delineates the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Practitioner, in conjunction with the physician collaboration. Recently, there has been some debate as to the benefits of raising the minimum entry into practice to a doctorate degree. While not currently required, it is very likely that individual who wish to practice as a Nurse Practitioner will need to complete a doctorate degree in the future. As researched and developed by Ann Hamric, The Nurse Practitioner role centers around several core competencies. These competencies include clinical practice which is balanced in ethical decision-making, physician collaboration, expert coaching and guidance, multidisciplinary consultation, research skills and professional leadership. With these competencies in practice, the Nurse Practitioner offers patients a unique and holistic approach to their health needs.