Discuss how this initiative and how it will impact your future as an APRN and your clinical practice in the state (Maryland State) in which you live
Protecting the scope of practice for nurses, particularly advanced practice registered nurses, is a major initiative at the American Nurses Association (ANA) 2016. The ANA is working together with our Constituent Member (State) Associations to help remove geographic and practice setting limitations for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).
The ANA is working state by state to ensure that state laws affecting APRN’s are both fair and consistent across the country, and that your scope of practice is not unfairly limited.
Discuss how this initiative and how it will impact your future as an APRN and your clinical practice in the state (Maryland State) in which you live. Include sources to support your assignment.
Expert Answer and Explanation
American Nurse Association (ANA) 2016 Initiative
American Nursing Association (ANA) is mandated to develop positions that are relevant to health policies, testing practices and social coercers that affect the health of individuals and families. The association`s position statement provides guidance to the nursing profession, voice the demands of nursing professionals and enlighten the public and decision making on different issues in the discipline.
One crucial step in the development of initiatives by the association involves when a relevant issue is approved by the ANA board. This follows that a professional board will formed to help advance the idea. After the panel has come up with its recommendations, the initiative follows the necessary legislative process before it is announced and implemented.
Pointedly, the process of development of issues in this regard allows all stakeholders including nursing professionals to voice their concerns.
Protecting APRN of Practice
While different states will have some level of title protection of nursing professionals, a distinct factor lies in the persons with legal authority to regulate the APRN practice (Buppert, 2017). As far as the 2016 initiate is concerned, the ANA has developed a review program pursuant to the recognition of nursing specialty, standards of practice and acknowledgment of focused practice competencies.
The ANA 2016 initiate is formed around improving healthcare for all and representing the interests of nursing professionals.
Nursing scope of practice
Nursing professionals operate within set scopes; the scope highlights the services that qualified health professionals are expected to perform-in line with the terms of their professional licensing (Poghosyan, Boyd and Clarke, 2016). The scope “who,” “what,” “when,” “why” and “where” certain undertaking are performed.
When all of these questions have been considered, the dynamic considerations in the scope or practice becomes clear.
Nursing practice is a dynamic profession and the health demands are constantly evolving (Poghosyan et al., 2016). This feature changes the scope of practice and overplayed responsibilities. Pointedly, this scope is distinct and depends on the state requirements. For example, a particular area might allow the prescription of a certain level of drugs while another region might restrict this prescription (Fong, Buckley and Cashin, 2015).
Nursing scope of practice Maryland State
The Maryland Nurse Practice Act allows individual scope of practice for individual RN, LPN and APRN which are determined by the professional certification, training and expertise. However, it does not dictate the particular roles and responsibilities of nursing professionals. Maryland allows nursing professionals to practice independently of physicians.
The determination for the scope of practice is a responsibility of the individual nursing professional (Gadbois, Miller, Tyler and Intrator, 2015).
These professionals are expected to apply decision making tools and mechanisms such as Decision Making Model for Scope of Nursing Practice Decisions which will help them make individual conclusions with regards to the underlying scope of practice.
How will the ANA initiative Impact APRN Future Practice?
With the aging population and the overburdened healthcare system, technical development in the healthcare system are barely enough (Kooienga and Carryer, 2015). Nursing professional represent a significant component of this equation, where expertise and knowledge is balanced through care and compassion.
As a future APRN, I expect that ANA initiative will help grows the body of evidence to support cost effective and safe provision of healthcare and advance a national move for the management of constraints to full practice authority.
Through this, the system will have removed barriers, foster high standards in the nursing practice, bolstering the wellness and health of nurses, promotion of ethical and safe working environments and advocating for the issues that affect the lives of nursing professionals.
References
Buppert, C. (2017). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Fong, J., Buckley, T., & Cashin, A. (2015). Nurse practitioner prescribing: an international perspective. Browse Journal, Nursing: Research and Reviews, 5, 99-08.
Gadbois, E. A., Miller, E. A., Tyler, D., & Intrator, O. (2015). Trends in state regulation of nurse practitioners and physician assistants, 2001 to 2010. Medical Care Research and Review, 72(2), 200-219.
Kooienga, S. A., & Carryer, J. B. (2015). Globalization and advancing primary health care nurse practitioner practice. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 11(8), 804-811.
Poghosyan, L., Boyd, D. R., & Clarke, S. P. (2016). Optimizing full scope of practice for nurse practitioners in primary care: A proposed conceptual model. Nursing outlook, 64(2), 146-155
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FAQs
Why are advanced practice nurses important?
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are highly trained and educated nurses who possess advanced knowledge, skills, and experience in a particular nursing specialty. APNs play a crucial role in the healthcare system and are important for several reasons:
- Increased Access to Care: APNs are able to provide a wider range of healthcare services, including physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, prescribing medications, and providing preventive care. This helps to increase access to healthcare services, particularly in underserved or remote areas.
- Improved Patient Outcomes: APNs are trained to provide comprehensive and patient-centered care, which can lead to improved patient outcomes. Studies have shown that patients who receive care from APNs have lower mortality rates, fewer hospital readmissions, and higher patient satisfaction scores.
- Cost-Effective Care: APNs are able to provide high-quality care at a lower cost than physicians, which can help to reduce healthcare spending. This is particularly important given the rising costs of healthcare and the increasing demand for healthcare services.
- Collaborative Care: APNs often work in collaboration with physicians, other healthcare professionals, and patients to provide coordinated and effective care. This interdisciplinary approach helps to ensure that patients receive the best possible care.
Describe how APNs practice can influence reduction in errors
Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can play a critical role in reducing errors in healthcare by utilizing their advanced knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective care. Here are some ways in which APN practice can influence the reduction in errors:
- Clinical Expertise: APNs possess advanced clinical expertise, which enables them to identify potential errors and take proactive measures to prevent them. For example, they can identify medication errors, laboratory test errors, and other errors related to the administration of healthcare services.
- Critical Thinking: APNs are trained to use critical thinking skills to analyze complex situations and make informed decisions. By applying this skill, APNs can identify and prevent errors that may occur due to lack of information, incorrect information, or other factors.
- Communication: Effective communication is essential to prevent errors in healthcare. APNs are skilled communicators and can facilitate communication between patients, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to prevent errors. APNs can also provide education to patients and healthcare providers on how to prevent errors.
- Continuous Monitoring: APNs can monitor patient outcomes and evaluate the effectiveness of healthcare interventions to ensure that errors do not occur. By continuously monitoring patients, APNs can identify and correct errors before they become a significant problem.
- Collaboration: APNs often work in interdisciplinary teams to provide coordinated and effective care. By working collaboratively with other healthcare providers, APNs can ensure that patients receive safe and high-quality care.
In summary, APN practice can influence the reduction in errors by utilizing their clinical expertise, critical thinking skills, effective communication, continuous monitoring, and collaboration. By working to prevent errors, APNs can help to improve patient safety and promote better healthcare outcomes.
Examples of change in nursing practice
technology, research, and the changing needs of patients. Here are some examples of change in nursing practice:
- Use of Electronic Health Records (EHRs): EHRs have revolutionized nursing practice by providing nurses with instant access to patient records, enabling them to quickly identify and respond to changes in a patient’s condition. EHRs also facilitate communication between healthcare providers, which can improve patient outcomes.
- Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): Evidence-based practice involves using the best available research evidence to guide nursing practice. EBP has led to improved patient outcomes, reduced healthcare costs, and increased patient satisfaction.
- Interprofessional Collaboration: Collaboration among healthcare providers, including nurses, physicians, and other professionals, has become increasingly important in recent years. By working together, healthcare providers can provide more comprehensive and coordinated care, leading to better outcomes for patients.
- Patient-Centered Care: Patient-centered care involves tailoring care to the individual needs and preferences of each patient. This approach recognizes that patients are unique and that their care should be individualized to meet their specific needs.
- Use of Telehealth: Telehealth involves the use of technology to provide healthcare services remotely. Telehealth has become increasingly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, as it allows healthcare providers to provide care while minimizing the risk of exposure to the virus.
- Advanced Practice Nursing: The role of advanced practice nurses (APNs) has expanded in recent years, with APNs providing a wider range of healthcare services and working in a variety of settings, including primary care clinics, hospitals, and long-term care facilities.
These are just a few examples of the changes that have occurred in nursing practice. As healthcare continues to evolve, nursing practice will continue to adapt to meet the changing needs of patients and healthcare systems.
Explanation of how healthcare policy can impact the advanced practice nurse profession
Healthcare policies are government initiatives, rules, and regulations that affect healthcare systems, healthcare providers, and patients. Healthcare policies can impact the advanced practice nurse (APN) profession in several ways:
- Scope of Practice: Healthcare policies can impact the scope of practice of APNs by defining the services they are allowed to provide. For example, some states may restrict the ability of APNs to prescribe medications or order diagnostic tests. Changes in healthcare policy can either expand or restrict the scope of practice of APNs.
- Reimbursement: Healthcare policies can also impact the reimbursement rates for APN services. For example, some policies may require that APNs receive lower reimbursement rates than physicians for the same services. Changes in healthcare policy can affect the financial viability of APN practices, which can impact the ability of APNs to provide care to patients.
- Education and Certification: Healthcare policies can impact the education and certification requirements for APNs. For example, some policies may require that APNs hold a master’s or doctoral degree in nursing, while others may require certification from a specific nursing organization. Changes in healthcare policy can impact the educational requirements for APNs, as well as the certification requirements needed to practice.
- Access to Care: Healthcare policies can impact access to care for patients, which in turn can impact the demand for APN services. For example, policies that expand access to healthcare, such as the Affordable Care Act, can increase the demand for APN services. Similarly, policies that restrict access to healthcare, such as reductions in Medicaid funding, can decrease the demand for APN services.
In summary, healthcare policy can have a significant impact on the APN profession by impacting the scope of practice, reimbursement rates, education and certification requirements, and access to care. APNs must stay informed about changes in healthcare policy and advocate for policies that support the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered care.
What is advanced practice nursing according to ANA?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) defines advanced practice nursing as a level of nursing practice that utilizes comprehensive, in-depth knowledge to assess, diagnose, and treat health conditions. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have a higher level of education and clinical training, often at the master’s or doctoral level, and they possess specialized skills beyond those of a registered nurse.
The ANA recognizes several roles within advanced practice nursing, including nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse-midwives. These professionals play a crucial role in providing direct patient care, promoting health and preventing illness, and managing complex healthcare situations.
Key characteristics of advanced practice nursing, as outlined by the ANA, include:
- Advanced Education: APNs have completed advanced education programs that equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills for their specific role.
- Clinical Expertise: APNs demonstrate advanced clinical competence and expertise in their area of specialization, allowing them to provide high-quality, evidence-based care.
- Autonomous Practice: APNs are capable of making independent decisions and managing a broad scope of patient care responsibilities. While they collaborate with other healthcare professionals, they have the authority to diagnose, prescribe medications, and develop treatment plans.
- Holistic Approach: APNs are trained to consider the holistic needs of patients, taking into account physical, emotional, social, and cultural factors in their care.
- Leadership and Advocacy: Advanced practice nurses often play leadership roles in healthcare settings and advocate for patients, contributing to policy development, education, and research.
What is the ANA scope and standards of practice?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) develops and publishes the “Scope and Standards of Practice” for nursing. This document serves as a guide for nurses, providing a framework for professional nursing practice. The Scope and Standards outline the expectations and responsibilities of nurses at various levels and in diverse practice settings. The standards are meant to ensure the delivery of safe, competent, and ethical care.
Here are the key components of the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice:
- Scope of Practice:
- Standards of Practice:
- Outlines the competencies and behaviors expected of nurses in their professional roles.
- Describes the steps of the nursing process: assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Emphasizes evidence-based practice, quality improvement, and communication.
- Standards of Professional Performance:
- Focuses on the professional role and behavior of nurses.
- Includes standards related to ethics, education, evidence-based practice and research, quality of practice, communication, leadership, collaboration, and professional practice evaluation.
- Code of Ethics for Nurses:
- Provides a set of guiding principles that outline the ethical responsibilities of nurses.
- Offers a foundation for ethical decision-making and behavior in nursing practice.
What is the role of the American Nurses Association?
The American Nurses Association (ANA) plays a pivotal role in representing and advancing the nursing profession in the United States. Its primary functions include:
- Advocacy for Nurses and Healthcare: The ANA serves as a powerful advocate for the interests of nurses and the nursing profession at the national level. It engages in legislative and regulatory efforts to influence healthcare policies, nursing practice standards, and issues affecting the nursing workforce.
- Development and Promotion of Standards: The ANA establishes and promotes standards of nursing practice, ethics, and professional conduct. This includes the development and revision of documents such as the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses and the Scope and Standards of Practice, which provide guidance for nurses in their roles.
- Education and Professional Development: The ANA contributes to the ongoing education and professional development of nurses. It offers resources, continuing education opportunities, and publications to help nurses stay informed about current best practices, research, and policy developments.
- Research and Evidence-Based Practice: The ANA supports nursing research and the integration of evidence-based practices into nursing care. It encourages nurses to contribute to the development of nursing knowledge through research and scholarly activities.
- Collaboration and Networking: The ANA fosters collaboration and networking among nurses and nursing organizations. It provides a platform for nurses to connect, share experiences, and collaborate on issues of common interest, both within the profession and with other healthcare stakeholders.
- Promotion of Professional Unity: The ANA works to promote unity within the nursing profession. By bringing together nurses from various specialties and practice settings, the organization aims to create a cohesive and influential voice for nursing professionals.
- Public Outreach and Education: The ANA engages in public outreach and education to increase awareness of the nursing profession and its contributions to healthcare. This includes advocating for the public’s understanding of the role of nurses in promoting health and delivering quality patient care.
- Policy Development: The ANA actively participates in the development of healthcare policies, regulations, and legislation. It strives to ensure that nursing perspectives are considered in shaping healthcare policies that impact both the profession and the delivery of healthcare services.
