Health Policy: Advanced Practice Nurses

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Table of Contents

Definition and Description
Background
Stakeholders
Issue Statement
Addressing the Issue
Goals and Options
Risks and Benefits of the Changes
Evaluation Methodology
Recommendations
References

Definition and Description

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) possess unique competencies that guide them to meet the health needs of their clients. The practice of APNs follows specific laws and legal frameworks. The presented health policy revolves around one of the recommendations presented by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) report regarding the future of nursing (Barbarito, 2016). The report suggests that “nurses should be empowered to practice to the extent of their training or education” (Barbarito, 2016, p. 2). This suggestion can be used to reverse the current situation whereby APNs must be supervised by physicians.

Background

For very many years, APNs have been required to operate in collaboration with doctors or physicians. The American Medical Association (AMA) has always indicated that APNs are not qualified to practice independently (Mattila et al., 2014). This is because they do not receive adequate training in their nursing schools. Fortunately, current evidence indicates that APNs deliver better and quality healthcare to more patients in comparison with physicians.

Stakeholders

Different stakeholders have the potential to influence the future of nursing practice. These include clinicians, physicians, community members, doctors, APNs, nurse aids, the IOM, the AMA, policymakers, and nursing organizations (Palatnik, 2016). These stakeholders can come up with new laws to ensure APNs to practice without supervision.

Issue Statement

The American healthcare sector has always grappled with the issue of staff shortage. APNs are equipped with adequate skills that can be tapped to transform the sector. Problems such as lack of funds and limited insurance coverage will be addressed by this policy (Bruce, Rietze, & Lim, 2014). More nurses will be empowered to deliver exemplary and evidence-based healthcare services.

Addressing the Issue

Several strategies can be used to deal with the limited practice of APNs. Since these professionals receive quality education and training, the proposed law will make it easier for them to become leaders in healthcare delivery. The training process can also be improved in such a way that it equips APNs with advanced competencies. Such dexterities can make it easier for them to diagnose, manage, and treat different illnesses (Bruce et al., 2014). They will also prescribe medicines effectively and address the gaps in the nation’s healthcare sector.

Goals and Options

Two goals are anticipated after the successful implementation of this policy. These goals include promoting the effectiveness of APNs and maximizing patients’ outcomes (Palatnik, 2016). The best option for change is encouraging policymakers in the health sector to support the new law. Educational processes will be improved to meet these new demands for APNs.

Risks and Benefits of the Changes

Several risks might arise after implementing the change. The first one is that the role of physicians might become obsolete. Some APNs might break the promise by delivering inadequate medical care (Bruce et al., 2014). The benefits are overwhelming because more patients will receive quality acre and eventually transform the sector. The current challenges arising from staff shortage will be addressed.

Evaluation Methodology

Powerful evaluation strategies will be needed to deal with this issue. The government should monitor the effectiveness of the policy after it is implemented (Palatnik, 2016). Appropriate adjustments can be presented if the policy does not support the needs of many patients. The evaluation strategy will deliver positive changes that will eventually empower more APNS.

Recommendations

In conclusion, the proposed policy will empower APNs to practice independently. The approach will make it easier for them to pursue their goals. They will read nursing articles and identify new measures to address patients’ needs (Bruce et al., 2014). Policymakers and lobbyists should be consulted throughout the legislative process.

References

Barbarito, A. (2016). Expanding the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses: A legislative call to action. Seton Hall Law, 1(1), 1-37.

Bruce, A., Rietze, L., & Lim, A. (2014). Understanding philosophy in a nurse’s world: What, where, and why? Nursing and Health, 2(3), 65-71.

Mattila, E., Pitkanen, A., Alanen, S., Leino, K., Luojus, K., Rantanen, A.,…Aalto, P. (2014). The effects of the primary nursing care model: A systematic review. Journal of Nursing & Care, 3(205), 1-24.

Palatnik, A. (2016). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health…how are we doing? Nursing Critical Care, 11(3), 3-4.

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