Advanced Practice Nurse
“An Advanced practice nurse is a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which she/he is credentialed to practice” (Heale & Rieck Buckley, 2015, p.422). An advanced practice nurse has an important role in the health care system. They are the registered nurses educated at Masters or post Masters level in a specific role and patient population. Advanced practice nurses are prepared by education and certification to evaluate, diagnose and manage patient problems. Advanced practice nurses include Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified
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For the certified nurse practitioners, care along the wellness-illness continuum is a dynamic process in which direct primary and acute care is delivered across settings. They are the members of the health delivery system and can practice independently in areas such as internal medicine, family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, and women’s health care. They are responsible to diagnose and treat patients with undifferentiated symptoms as well as those with established diagnoses. Their responsibilities include, provide initial, ongoing, and comprehensive care, includes providing physical examinations, taking comprehensive histories, and other health assessment and screening activities, and diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases. They are also responsible for ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting laboratory and imaging studies; prescribing medication and durable medical equipment; and making appropriate referrals for patients and families. Other responsibilities includes, health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling (American Nurses Association, 2016). Mary is a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse and has been practicing for fifteen years in various departments such as pediatric, surgical and emergency departments as well as in various positions includes floor nurse and charge nurse. Mary has an extensive knowledge and experience in various patient care areas. Based on her experience and knowledge, it is better for Mary to select a career as a certified nurse practitioner, as many of the responsibilities of a CNP was practiced by Mary while working as a bedside nurse. A CNP program will further improve Mary’s clinical decision making skills and knowledge and give her more
For the certified nurse practitioners, care along the wellness-illness continuum is a dynamic process in which direct primary and acute care is delivered across settings. They are the members of the health delivery system and can practice independently in areas such as internal medicine, family practice, geriatrics, pediatrics, and women’s health care. They are responsible to diagnose and treat patients with undifferentiated symptoms as well as those with established diagnoses. Their responsibilities include, provide initial, ongoing, and comprehensive care, includes providing physical examinations, taking comprehensive histories, and other health assessment and screening activities, and diagnosing, treating, and managing patients with acute and chronic illnesses and diseases. They are also responsible for ordering, performing, supervising, and interpreting laboratory and imaging studies; prescribing medication and durable medical equipment; and making appropriate referrals for patients and families. Other responsibilities includes, health promotion, disease prevention, health education and counseling (American Nurses Association, 2016). Mary is a baccalaureate prepared registered nurse and has been practicing for fifteen years in various departments such as pediatric, surgical and emergency departments as well as in various positions includes floor nurse and charge nurse. Mary has an extensive knowledge and experience in various patient care areas. Based on her experience and knowledge, it is better for Mary to select a career as a certified nurse practitioner, as many of the responsibilities of a CNP was practiced by Mary while working as a bedside nurse. A CNP program will further improve Mary’s clinical decision making skills and knowledge and give her more