wk5 project

Professional Practice

Professional Practice

A family nurse practitioner is an advance practice registered nurse who works independently or with other healthcare providers to provide family focused care. Based on the nature and need of family patient populations, these professionals provide a wide range of healthcare services aimed at improving the health outcomes of family units. Some of the common services provided by family nurse practitioners include disease prevention, counseling, health promotion, and direct care across a person’s lifespan. As graduate trained professionals, family nurse practitioners are well equipped to diagnose as well as treat complex health problems of the body and the mind. In addition, they can work as hospital administrators and policy makers (Graduate Nursing Edu, 2020). The interviewee for this assignment is Esmeralda Young, a family nurse practitioner at one of Tampa General Hospital’s affiliate offices. This interview happened on October 16, 2020.

Organization Setting, Population and Colleagues of Interviewee

Tampa General Hospital is a private hospital and a comprehensive medical facility based in West Central Florida. This not for profit facility serves a dozen county with at least more than 4 million people. As one of the leading hospitals in the region, Tampa General Hospital has more than 1,000 beds and more than 8,000 staffs. As the region’s biggest teaching healthcare organization, it is affiliated to the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine since its creation in early 1970s.As Florida’s only level I trauma center and home of first heart transplant in the area, the hospital strives at delivering world class care to patients. Some of its outstanding centers are stroke center, internal medicine, orthopedics, urology, endocrinology, cardiovascular, and children’s medical center (TGH, 2020).

The interviewee provides healthcare services to patients aged 18 years and above, addressing primary and critical care conditions. The Tampa General Hospital offers various services including radiology; ear, nose, and throat; endocrinology; heart and vascular; and integrative medicine. Other services include nephrology, liver disease and hepatology, pulmonology and lung, thyroid and parathyroid, and neurology, as well as palliative care (TGH, 2020).

Professional Licensing, Credentialing and Qualifications of Interviewee

To be licensed as an advanced practice registered nurse in the state of Florida, one must have a valid registered nurse license from any jurisdiction in the United States, must have at least a master’s degree certification, and have proof of malpractice insurance (FBN, 2020). Esmeralda qualifies to practice as a family nurse practitioner in the state of Florida. She is an American Academy of Nurses Practitioners’ certified nurse practitioners. She is a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from St. Petersburg College and a Master of Science degree in nursing from South University. Esmeralda is a member of Florida Nurse Practitioner Network, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurses Council. She is also a member of the West Coast Council of Advanced Nursing Practices.

Competencies (Domains) including Certifications of Interviewee

Advanced nursing registered practitioners must possess core competencies, which may be acquired via analytical skills for evaluating as well as offering evidence based care across settings. Esmeralda possesses advanced knowledge of effective healthcare delivery system. She has acquired nursing competencies through patient care experiences with focus on independent as well as interprofessional experience. Before joining the Tampa General Hospital, she worked at Tampa General Medical and Surgical Oncology unit offering acute nursing healthcare services to medical, oncology, as well as surgical patients. She also worked AT Community Health Centers of Pinellas in St. Petersburg, Florida, offering primary care services and diagnosis as well as treating acute and chronic diseases.

Brief Job Description, State Board of Nursing Nurse Practice Act, including Allowances and Restrictions

A family nurse practitioner normally works with families to provide preventive care and implement healthcare plans. The Nurse Journal indicates that family nurse practitioners provide healthcare services to patients of different age groups. They instruct patients to maintain better lives throughout their life expectancy. The Nurse Practice Act of Florida provides that advanced practice registered nurses can establish and implement nursing regimens for comfort as well as care for prevention of illnesses and restoration of individuals. They can also provide health education and health maintenance services. Nurses are paid based on their experience and qualifications. However, Section 464.002 of the Nurse Practice Act of Florida provides minimum requirements for safe practice in the state. The section restricts persons with below minimum competency requirement and those presenting danger to the public from practicing in the state (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2020).

Interview Questions

· Can a family nurse practitioner work in emergency department?

Yes, a family nurse practitioner can work in an emergency room, a specialty setting, or an acute care setting

· Can a family nurse practitioner certify and authorize disability benefits?

Yes, the updated Unemployment Insurance Code reflect nurse practitioners’ mandate to authorize disability benefits.

· Can a family nurse practitioner obtain informed consent for blood transfusion?

Yes, advanced practice registered nurses must obtain consent for homologous and autologous blood transfusions.

· Is it a must that a physician should countersign a family nurse practitioner’s patient chart?

The Nursing Practice Act does not expect physicians to countersign a nurse practitioner chart. However, some statutes such as third party reimbursement regulations may require physicians to countersign the chart.

· Can a family nurse practitioner dispense medication? And what laws must he or she be familiar with when performing this function?

The Nurse Practice Act of Florida allows advanced practice registered nurses to dispense medication with exception of controlled substances upon a physician’s order.

· Is it illegal for a family nurse practitioner to practice if a physician supervisor is 50 miles away?

The Nurse Practice Act of Florida does not address the mileage between a supervising physician and a nurse practitioner. However, it is important to have a physician within a close distance.

· How often should a family nurse practitioner update his or her standardized procedures?

It is important to update the standardized procedures on regular basis to ensure that patients receive appropriate care.

· What are the requirements for a family nurse practitioner seeking to work in a long term healthcare setting?

One must have an advanced degree in nursing and certification from the Florida Board of Nursing or any certification from another jurisdiction recognized by the Florida Board of Nursing

· Can I consider myself a family nurse practitioner after completing my Master’s degree program?

No, one must obtain a practice license from the Florida Board of Nursing to become a family nurse practitioner.

· Can I administer medications to patients by using standardized procedure if I do not have a furnishing number?

No, there is explicit legal language related to furnishing of devices as well as drugs by advanced practice registered nurses.

· Can a registered family nurse practitioner supervise a medical assistant?

Yes. A nurse practitioner can, at his or her discretion, provide written instructions that medical assistants must follow in performance of tasks and supportive service. Nurses can do so after consultation with physicians.

Conclusion

Family nurse practitioners play significant roles in delivery of evidence based patient centered care. A family nurse practitioner performs various functions including developing treatment plan for diseases. They also educate and guide patients on healthy lifestyle practices and disease prevention. Moreover, they manage patient care relating to lifestyle as well as development issues. Anyone aspiring to become a family nurse practitioner must have at least a Master’s degree in nursing and have practice license from the Florida Board of Nursing. It is only after meeting these requirements that someone can work in emergency department, specialty setting, or critical care setting as a family nurse practitioner.

References

Florida Board of Nursing. (2020). Advanced practice registered nurses. Retrieved from https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/advanced-practice-registered-nurse/