Retail Clinic, Essay Example

Nurse practitioners possess many opportunities to advance nursing practice agendas which support high quality patient care and treatment. One area where nurse practitioners have gained prominence is in the retail clinic, whereby they provide leadership and expert knowledge in evaluating and treating patients in lieu of a traditional primary care physician office. These locations have grown in scope and significance to over 1,200 clinics throughout the United States. Nurse practitioners serve a wide variety of population groups in these clinics by offering diagnostic and treatment services for common conditions such as sinus infections, and also preventative services such as vaccinations and sports physicals.

Retail clinics are structured as autonomous healthcare practice environments enabling nurse practitioners to work independently while also providing knowledge and expertise in settings that are efficient, cost effective, and affordable for patients. These locations offer nurse practitioners a fulfilling role in serving the best interests of patients, and in many ways, contribute to higher levels of patient satisfaction.  Prior research supports the continued growth and expansion of these clinics with nurse practitioners at the helm to expand the scope and availability of services to patients in communities where the need is greatest. Retail clinics provide a vast level of support to patients that might not be achieved in traditional primary care environments due to affordability and scheduling concerns. Therefore, it is important to consider the short and long-term impacts of retail clinics, the positive influence of nurse practitioners in these roles, and the potential advantages gained when advanced practice nurses are employed to provide care and treatment to patients throughout different communities.

Retail clinic staff nurse practitioners use their knowledge and understanding of clinical principles to support diagnosis and treatment. This topic educates the public regarding the value of advanced practice nurses in the healthcare field.

I appreciate your thoughtful and careful consideration of this analysis and my position regarding nurse practitioners in retail clinic environments.