Comment the Discussion (Class 501 Unit 2 Comment 2

Purpose: Comment the Discussion (Class 501 Unit 2 Comment 2michelle

Thing to Remember:

Answer this discussion with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources.

1 References, find resources that are 5 years or less

No errors with APA format 6 Edition

To Comment

· Specialty and advance practice nurses should prepare and understand credentialing processes prior to practice Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, and O’Grady (2014).  The credentialing process varies by state of practice, specialties, and often goes by an acronym called LACE which is also known as license, accreditation, certification, and education.  Credentialing requirements found on individual state nursing boards can be often confusing and may need clarification by peers or state board representatives California State Board of Nursing (2017). 

Many years ago, if a specialty field in nursing was mentioned, one would automatically think pediatrics or oncology.  This is still true today, however, the definition is quite different from advance practice nursing.  For example, specialty nurses focus on a “specific” field of nursing or population in need where a direct impact can be made.  An interactive, supportive, and collaborative team care approach is practiced.  Specialty nursing may involve patient direct care or not.  Examples of direct care specialty nursing are mental health, women’s health, geriatrics, emergency medicine, and public health.  Examples of indirect care specialty nursing are nursing administration and informatics.  Advance practice nurses (APN’s) have a broad scope of practice, utilize evidence-based medicine and theoretical approached care, and autonomy.  APN’s may be specialty nurses or subspecialty nurses within a “focused” field as well.  For example, an APN can choose to obtain certification from their state board of nursing to serve a specialty population such as diabetics, forensics, or terminally ill patients Hamric et al. (2015). 

Once educational requirements are fulfilled (either through college, onsite job training, clinical practice, mentorship, tests) specialty nurses and APNs' must obtain their LACE credentialing requirements through their individual practice states as well as their specialty or subspecialty certification requirements.  Clark, Casey, and Morris’s (2015) study revealed that post graduate prepared nurses improved patient outcomes utilizing critical thinking and leadership skills, however more studies are needed. According to the California State Board of Nursing Advance Scope of Practice Guidelines, advance practice nursing is considered a specialty field of nursing; therefore, not all states are using universal language and common terminology when comparing specialty nursing and advance practice nursing.  There are still many unanswered questions regarding specialty nursing and scope of practices.