Professional Development of Nurses - Essay Example

Advanced Practice Nursing Introduction An Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) is a term referring to a certain level of nursing practice which uses comprehensive skills, knowledge and experience in nursing care. There are different types of APN that depends on their level of education and training. This paper identifies the core competencies of a Nursing Practitioner (NP) and analyzes an interview with a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP). It also analyzes the competencies necessary for APN role development. Description of the NONPF Nursing Practitioner core competencies Nursing Practitioner Core Competencies integrate and also build upon the existing core competencies. These competencies are essential behaviors for all Nursing Practitioners. They are necessary for the practitioners to face complex challenges in the translation of knowledge that is rapidly expanding into the function and practice in the health care environment that is also rapidly changing. Nurse Practitioners have skills, knowledge, as well as abilities that highly essential to the independent clinical practice. They acquire the competencies through patient care experiences that are mentored, analytic skills, and advanced knowledge of health care system. The Doctoral –prepared Nurse Practitioners get to apply their knowledge in scientific foundation in the quality care practice, they also have the ability to apply their acquired skills in technology and also in information literacy. Practitioners engage in practice inquiries where they improve health outcomes, health policy as well as health care delivery (Joel, 2013). There are also areas of increased skills, knowledge, and expertise that includes collaboration, advanced communication skills, leadership, complex decision making and the health care business. Upon completion of NP program, the practitioners fully possess the nine core competencies that are not based on or determined by population focus (Joel, 2013). The nine Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies are; scientific foundation competencies, leadership competencies, quality competencies, practice inquiry competencies, technology and information literacy competencies, policy competencies, heath delivery system competencies, ethics competencies, and independent practice competencies. Scientific Foundation Competencies The Nurse Practitioner (NP) in this case critically analyzes evidence and data for the improvement of advanced nursing practice, integrates knowledge from a combination of sciences and humanities that are within the nursing science context and translates research and knowledge in order to improve the processes and outcomes. The NP also gets to develop approaches in the practice that are usually based on the full integration of research, practice, theory and knowledge (Feldman & Alexander, 2012). Leadership Competencies Under leadership competencies, the NP has the role of assuming advanced and complex leadership roles as a way to initiate and guide change. The NP also has the ability to provide leadership that foster collaboration with a variety of stakeholders such as health care systems, patients, policy makers and the community for the improvement of health care. Under this competency, leadership that uses reflective and critical thinking is demonstrated while quality, cost effective and accessible health care is advocated for. The competency also advances practice mainly through the implementation and development of innovations that incorporate the principles of change. Under the competencies of leadership the NP communicates the Practice knowledge effectively in both writing and oral (Joel, 2013). Quality competencies For continuous improvement of the quality of clinical practice best available evidence is used, the NP evaluates relationships among cost, access, safety and quality as well as their influence on health care. They also evaluate how the quality of health care is affected by financing, care processes, policy decisions and marketing. The NP also applies their skills in peer review so as to promote an excellent culture and anticipates the variations in practice. They are also proactive in the implementation of interventions in order to ensure quality (Joel, 2013). Practice Inquiry Competencies The competency provides leadership on translation of upcoming knowledge into practice and generates the knowledge gathered from clinical practice to improve practice and eventually patient outcomes. It also applies the clinical investigative skills in order to improve health outcomes. It leads practice inquiries both individually and in partnership while disseminating evidence from the inquiry so as to diversify the audiences by using multiple modalities (Meleis, 2012). Technology and Information Literacy Competencies The appropriate technologies, mainly for knowledge management are integrated to improve the health care, where as scientific and technical health information are translated appropriately for the varying needs of their users. It also demonstrates the information literacy skills mostly in complex decision making and contributes to clinical information systems, designing to facilitate quality, safe and cost effective care. Technology systems are used to capture data on all variables for evaluation of nursing care (Meleis, 2012). Policy Competencies The competency demonstrates a clear understanding of the interdependency of practice and policy while advocating for ethical policies meant to promote equity, access, cost and quality. Legal, ethical, and social factors that influence policy development are analyzed as well as contributing to the entire development of health policy. The NP also gets to analyze implications of health policy across various disciplines. The impact of globalization on the policy development of health care is also evaluated (Pilliteri, 2010). Health Delivery System Competencies Under these competencies, complex systems and knowledge of organizational practices are applied to improve the delivery of health care. It effects changes in health care using skills that are broad based including consensus building, negotiating, and partnering. At systems and individual level risks to providers and patients are minimized (Pilliteri, 2010). Ethics Competencies The ethical principles in the decision making are integrated and their consequences evaluated. Under the competency the NP applies sound solutions, ethically to complex issues that are related to populations, systems of care and individuals (Joel, 2013). Independent Practice Competencies The NP has the skills and is licensed to function independently. The NP demonstrates a high level of accountability for the professional practice and practices independently while managing the previously diagnosed and undiagnosed patients. The practitioner also provides patient-centered care and recognizes the patient as a full partner in the decision making (Joel, 2013). Description of the Interview with an APN The APN practices in the role of a Certified Nurse Midwife with the education level of Master of Science in Nursing with licensure and certification. She is a licensed registered nurse holding a specialized graduate degree in nurse mid wifely and has obtained a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN). She completed her program in the year 2004 and has been accredited by the American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). The CNM has a compassionate nature and enjoys working closely with women from all types of backgrounds right from teenage year all through to menopause. In addition to being a career she has a profound passion in this field that she ventured at the age of twenty five in the Ohio State of the US. She marvels at the miracle of birth and feels deeply privileged to have such a role in the most important life event. The NPs main duty is assisting women in all their stages of pregnancy, childbirth and post-delivery. She works closely with gynecologists in the diagnosing and treatment of women with illnesses, both acute and chronic such as cancer, common fevers and Urinary Tract Infections. The midwife also counsels and educates her patients, conducts critical examinations while taking detailed medical histories such as hereditary illnesses. She performs diagnostic test procedures and at times orders technologists to perform them. She is also permitted to prescribe pharmaceuticals and performs other administrative duties in keeping detailed records of her patients. In cases of reproductive health issues or Sexually Transmitted Diseases, she can also work with male patients (Gebbie & Meleis, 2012). Analysis of the APN competencies Scientific Profound Competencies The CNM critically analyzes evidence and data while comparing them to patient data and integrates knowledge of sciences and humanities. For instance, she partners with her patients to get records of genetic illnesses that can have an impact on pregnancy and records of twin bearing. For improved care, she collaborates with gynecologists who assist in the diagnosis and detection of infections (Pilliteri, 2010). Leadership competencies The midwife assumes advanced and complex roles of leadership that initiate and guide change. For instance, she orders technologists to perform diagnostic tasks. She also works closely with male patients in the cases of sexually related illnesses (Glantz, 2005). Quality competencies The CNM applies her skills in peer review and promotes a culture of excellence through collaborative team processes and practices (Joel, 2013). For instance, she collaborates with gynecologists and offers counseling to her patients. Technology Information and Literacy Competencies The CNM uses technology systems to capture data on variables so as to evaluate her nursing care. For instance, she keeps a record of her patients’ medical history. Under this competency she also uses her communication skills to guide, counsel and examine her patients effectively and appropriately (Feldman & Alexander, 2012). Health Delivery System Competencies She effects health care changes using broad based skills that include partnering and facilitates development of health care systems addressing cultural diverse populations and other stakeholders. For instance, she uses collateral information while dealing with sexually related health issues and involves inter-professional and collaborative partnerships with other practitioners like technologists and gynecologists (Gebbie & Qureshi, 2012). Conclusion Advanced Practice Nurses APNs performs different roles depending on their specialization. Quality education and health programs are required to achieve improved health care with the practitioners acquiring the nine core competencies. For a CNM, passion acts as an added advantage for improved health care to women of all walks of life throughout their lives. References Feldman, H. R., & Alexander, G. R. (2012). Nursing leadership. New York: Springer. Gebbie, K. M., & Qureshi, K. (2002). Emergency and Disaster Preparedness: Core Competencies for Nurses: What every nurse should but may not know. AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 102(1), 46-51. Glantz, S. A. (2005). Primer of biostatistics. Joel, L. A. (2013). Advanced practice nursing: Essentials for role development. Philadelphia: F.A. Davis Co. Meleis, A. I. (2011). Theoretical nursing: Development and progress. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Pillitteri, A., & Pillitteri, A. (2010). Maternal & child health nursing: Care of the childbearing & childrearing family. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Read More