Krystalin, it was interesting to read about how your healthcare organization utilizes an
Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) and places them in leadership roles. In the entirety of the topic
of service and excellence through vocation, a biblical verse that comes to mind is “not
domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3, English
Standard Version). For me, this provides a very sound basis explaining the growth centered
mindset for pursuing an advanced practice nursing degree.
APN’s are prepared to practice with a high degree of knowledge, skill, and experience
(Leggat, Balding, & Schiftan, 2015). Due to their level of trained expertise of critical analysis,
problem solving, and accurate decision making, APN’s can help patients achieve optimal healthy
outcomes (Leggat, Balding, & Schiftan, 2015). Additionally, APN’s have a significant impact as
leaders among fellow nurses. As an APN, a nurse practitioner incorporates dynamic practice,
professional efficacy and clinical leadership into her daily nursing practice (Leggat, Balding, &
Schiftan, 2015). As leaders, APN’s are required to make clinical decisions based on the most
current and best evidence available (Orberleitner, 2014).
Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) is a way for clinicians to provide the highest possible
quality of care (Orberleitner, 2014). Utilizing EBP requires a healthcare provider to appraise and
critique recent research, clinical expertise for understanding the research, and consideration for
the preferences and values of the patient (as cited in Orberleitner, 2014, pp. 455). APN’s are
designed to be in positions to use critical thinking skills to determine if the scientific evidence
and clinical practice guidelines are consistent with the applicable health care diagnosis along
with the patients desired goals (as cited in Orberleitner, 2014, pp. 455).
References
Leggat, S., Balding, C., & Schiftan, D. (2015). Developing clinical leaders: The impact of an
action learning mentoring program for advanced practice nurses. Journal of Clinical
Nursing, 24, 1576–1584. doi:10.1111/jocn.12757
Oberleiter, M. G. (2014). Application of theory in nursing administration and management. In M.
McEwen. & E.M., Wills (Eds.), Theoretical basis for nursing (4th ed.). (pp. 452-478).
Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/ Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
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