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Module 2 Discussion

Whether in primary care, education, or even research, nurses are scattered throughout the healthcare system in different aspects. There are endless avenues nurses can choose for study and advancement in their career. The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) does not have one defined role in the healthcare system. The role of primary care nurse practioner (NP) accounts for 84% of all specialties selected by master's graduates while other non-primary advanced practice nurses account for 14% (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, & OGrady, 2014 p. 399 and 400). It is within the APN umbrella that the primary NP exists, as well as the other specializations of certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.  

The Institute of Medicine defines the role of primary care as the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by a clinician who is accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community (Hamric et al., 2014 p. 417). The primary NP role was founded because of it need in the community, there are not enough primary care physicians for the number of patients that need medical coverage. NPs choose primary care in more abundance than physicians and exist more throughout the health care feild in family, adult, and pediatric settings (Hamric et al., 2014 p. 417).  Examples of NPs in the community are seen in patient-centered medical homes, school-based health centers, and veteran's administrations. In veteran administration, the scope of the NP had broadened the most as it is the largest employer of NPs in the U.S (Hamric et al., 2014 p. 417) 

The range of where and how an APN chooses to practice seems almost limitless as research and time show the need for different positions and titles. They focus on a part of practice derived from different specialized fields within professional nursing (Hamric et al., 2014 p. 112). APN will then integrate elements of care from nursing and medical models in a collaborative approach to clinical practice that enhances the comprehensiveness and quality of the care needed (Hamric et al., 2014 p. 112). An example of this is seen in the response nursing had to the National Cancer Act of 1971.  After seeing the need for help in further medical advancements in the oncology realm, the Oncology Nursing Society was founded and certifies APNs to practice in within this specialty (Hamric et al., 2014 p 113).  

 While the APN and NP may work across various healthcare settings, they both need research and work to continue to define each role in the healthcare setting. Having both consumer and other healthcare workers understand how the NP and APN work is important in their progression (Barnes, 2015). There are many acronyms to take into consideration when explaining the two to the patients. It is important to simply explain that the NP always must be an APN, but an APN is not always an NP. Other healthcare providers may understand the acronyms, but their scope is still uncertain sometimes (Lowe, Plummer, O’Brien, & Boyd 2011). Illustrating that NPs most times work under a physician while the ANP works in collaboration with them as well as hospital administrators and other nurses is also needed (Lowe,2011). Overall, both the NP and ANP care for patient populations, have a minimum of a masters degrees, have a scope of practice that is defined by their setting, and have the best interest of a patient in mind. 

 

References

 Barnes, H. (2015). Exploring the Factors That Influence Nurse Practitioner Role Transition. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 11(2), 178-183. doi:10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.11.004  

Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & OGrady, E. T. (2014). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach (5th ed., pp. 111-115, 319-417). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. 

Lowe, G., Plummer, V., O’Brien, A. P., & Boyd, L. (2011). Time to clarify - the value of advanced practice nursing roles in health care. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(3), 677-685. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2011.05790.x