Download NUR 512 Discussion 2 Primary Care NP Role vs. APN Roles and more Assignments Nursing in PDF only on Docsity!
lOMoARcPSD| Primary Care NP Role vs. APN Roles St. Thomas University NUR 512 Advanced practice nurses (APNs) and nurse practitioners (NPs) are licensed registered nurses with a broad range of knowledge and abilities. In their practice, they employ clinical competences in accordance with the standards set forth in their jurisdiction. The responsibilities that NPs and APNs play today have changed due to changes in healthcare. There are approximately 290,000 nurse practitioners licensed in the United States (U.S.) (AANP, 2020). This discussion post explains the responsibilities of NPs and APNs to healthcare professionals and patients, as well as how those positions differ and overlap. An advanced practice registered nurse (APN) is a registered nurse who has earned a graduate degree (master's or doctorate) from a recognized institution and, following program completion, passes a national certification exam to receive certification in a particular speciality: NP, CRNA, CNS, or CNM. Before particularly advancing the education in one of the four roles, all APN programs should have practices that are patient and family-centered and include standard courses like advanced health assessment, advanced pathophysiology, and advanced pharmacology. For instance, a CNS school might not require a pediatric clinical practice rotation, but an NP program should. In addition, a student must complete a certain
number of clinical hours in order to graduate from any APN school. The similarity between all APN roles includes direct clinical practice, evidence-based practice, leadership, collaboration, consultation, education, and ethical decision making (Hamric, 2013). Assessment, diagnosis, and practice autonomy are also included in the scope of practice for any APN. The autonomy of practice, however, may differ between jurisdictions, since some laws let APN to practice without a physician supervising. The demographic specialization that an APN focuses on, such as neonatal, women's health, adult health, community health, or psychiatric health, is one variation between APN positions. Additionally, they may specialize in a particular field, such as diabetes, cancer, wound care, or transplant. The primary care NP function was developed in the 1960s as a specialist in primary care, setting it apart from other APN roles. A primary care NP is an APN who has received training in promoting health, evaluating patients' needs, making diagnoses, interpreting diagnostic tests, and treating patients' illnesses. When a patient is initially diagnosed with diabetes by his primary care physician, it serves as a fantastic illustration of how APNs may effectively communicate with patients, healthcare providers, and consumers (PCP). The patient may have several queries regarding nutrition, exercise, and medication for diabetes self-management. For this reason, the PCP could request a consultation with a diabetic CNS. The patient will next get patient-focused care in which the diabetic CNS will work with the patient's PCP to design a customized care plan that will allow the patient to actively participate in the planning process and be more engaged and accountable for his or her health. In conclusion, a primary care NP is the largest number of APN roles (AANP, 2021). All
