Broadening the Scope of Nursing Practice, Coursework Example

The role of advanced practice nurse supports the growth and expansion of the practice environment through expert knowledge and technical skill to improve healthcare delivery in the United States. This role is instrumental in support of integrating different types of healthcare practices into a unified delivery model of care and treatment (Hamric et.al, 2013). This role also promotes specialization and also collaboration with a variety of experts across many fields, including primary care, to promote greater efficiency and quality of care for patients (Hamric et.al, 2013). This role supports expanded decision-making and practice authority to enable a larger number of patients to receive quality care in a timely manner (Safriet, 2011).

Advanced practice nurses provide expert knowledge in a variety of specialty areas in order to improve outcomes for many patients (Fairman et.al, 2011). This role was created as a means of integrating research evidence and other characteristics into the practice environment to ensure that that patient care is optimized at all times (Fairman et.al, 2011). This role is supported by state boards of nursing and federal insurance mandates, thereby demonstrating its significance and level of strength in filling many of the gaps that exist in the nursing environment (Safriet, 2010). Nurses in this capacity also promote cost effective care and treatment for their patients and ensure that the care that is received is of the highest possible quality and focus (Milstead, 2013).

Advocates for this profession support its knowledge base and consideration of the key principles of healthcare that directly impact patients, but it is also necessary for some states to lift some of practice restrictions for this group of nurses, as these limit their ability to bridge gaps in knowledge and the delivery of care (Milstead, 2013). Therefore, it is critical to provide advanced practice nurses with opportunities to secure licensure and to promote a viable and productive nursing environment in which to administer care and treatment to all patients.

References

Fairman, J. A., Rowe, J. W., Hassmiller, S., & Shalala, D. E. (2011). Broadening the scope of nursing practice. New England Journal of Medicine, 364(3), 193-196.

Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (Eds.). (2013). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Milstead, J.A. (2013). Health Policy and Politics: A Nurse’s Guide, Fourth Edition. Burlington:             Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Safriet, B. J. (2010). Federal options for maximizing the value of advanced practice nurses in providing quality, cost-effective health care. Committee on the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Initiative on the Future of Nursing, at the Institute of Medicine. The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health.