Role of the Family Nurse Practitioner - Essay Example

Similarly, the status of FNP practice in Texas is compared with that of Hawaii, Florida, Mississippi, and Tennessee, with regard to (a) prescriptive Privileges, (b) collaboration agreements/supervision requirements, (c) Nurse Practitioner regulation bodies in each state, and (d) any other practice significant information. The role of the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) in the modern health care industry is often highlighted and training in FNP has become one of the essential aspects in the diagnosis and management of various common and complex medical conditions.

Nurse Practitioners (NPs), in general, offer considerable contribution to the health care sector and the NPs "are registered nurses who are prepared beyond initial nursing education in an NP program to provide primary care directly to patients. The profession originated in the mid-1960s in response to shortages of physicians (MDs). NP educational requirements, certification mechanisms and legal scopes of practice are decided at the state level and vary considerably" (Christian, Dower, and O'Neil, 2007, p. 4). Significantly, Family nurse practitioners offer a wide range of health care services in the contemporary health care scenario and their service is particularly important for families.

It is, therefore, fundamental to undertake a reflective exploration of the meaning and scope of the Family Nurse Practitioner, the current and future educational entry into practice requirements for the FNP, the role of the Family Nurse Practitioner in relation to the Family Practice Physician, Physician's Assistant, Chiropractor, and Clinical Nurse Specialist etc. Meaning of FNP: What is a Family Nurse PractitionerFamily Nurse Practitioner (FNP) has been realized as one of the important specialties of Nurse Practitioner (NP) which refers to a registered nurse with detailed advanced nursing education and training in the diagnosis and management of various intricate medical conditions.

The Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing defines a Family nurse practitioner as "a registered nurse who has completed specific advanced nursing education -generally a master's degree- and training in the diagnosis and management of common as well as complex medical conditions. Nurse Practitioners provide a broad range of health care services" (Frontier School of Midwifery & Family Nursing, 2008). Therefore, family nurse practitioners are people with specific advanced nursing education and training and they engage in various types of medical practices in conjunction with the physicians.

According to the definition by California University's school of nursing, "a family nurse practitioner meets the health care needs of the family by providing health assessments, direct care, and guidance, teaching, or counseling as appropriate, particularly around family self-care. The FNP typically works collaboratively with family primary care physicians and other professionals within the health care system" (School of Nursing: California University, 2007). Accordingly, apart from the to conventional practice in an office, clinic, or ambulatory