Roles of Advance Nurse in Quality Improvement, Coursework Example

What are the roles of Advanced Practice Nurse’s (APN) employed by health care organizations in your community in quality improvement activities?

Studies conducted by Gerrish (2011) and colleagues aimed at identifying approaches used by advanced practice nurses to promote evidence-based practice among clinical nurses as it pertains to quality improvement; these researchers discovered that Advanced Practice Nurses function from a superior level in execution of their duties on clinical areas and in their communities (Gerrish et.al, 2011)

The researchers contend that Advanced Practice Nurses operate as knowledge brokers by executing evidence-based practice in clinical settings. They were also distinguished in knowledge management. It entailed initiating acquisition of contemporary ways of applying principles in nursing intervention, which are considered the major elements of knowledge brokering (Gerrish et.al, 2011)

The analysts further projected that Advanced Practice Nurses’ role in Knowledge management involved accumulating evidence from various sources by applying numerous resources. These data provide evidence to be models in a repository fashion for clinical nurses. They also synthesize diverse evidence through translation, evaluation and interpretation (Gerrish et.al, 2011).

Ultimately, the Advanced Practice Nurse infuses clinical settings/communities with   knowledge retrieved from present data as well as those inherited from previous research practices relevant to the science. Essentially, the advanced practice nurses’ roles are researcher by taking the lead in providing evidence based practice intervention from firsthand knowledge.  They are also mangers developing clinical nurses to a level of superior functioning within the healthcare professions.  The advanced practice nurse’s role in quality improvement is to demonstrate by ‘role modeling, teaching, clinical problem-solving how changes can be facilitated and occur’ (Gerrish et.al, 2011).

Are APNs leaders of quality improvement teams?

Yes they are! In confirming former research findings while projecting advanced practice nurse as leaders in quality improvement Jansen and Stauffacher (2012) point to seven domains whereby this category of nurse can execute quality improvement. They are listed in order of priority as ‘management of client health/illness status; nurse practitioner–patient relationship; teaching-coaching function; professional role; managing and negotiating health care; delivery systems; monitoring and ensuring the quality of health care practice, and executing culturally sensitive care’ (Jansen & Stauffacher, 2012).

By applying these domains within their various competencies advance practice nurses participate as leaders in their communities. They are responsible for their patient’s safety as well as the nurses who function either in their clinical practice or community settings. As leaders in quality improvement teams advance practice nurses lead research studies in their capacity as knowledge brokers and managers (Gerrish et.al, 2011).

What significant contributions have occurred as a result of APN involvement on Quality Improvement (QI) teams?

American Nurses Association (2012) reports describe advanced practice nurses as being innovators in their communities’ improvement polices among health systems intervention across the country. This was made possible through training specializing in various disciplines such as obstetrics, anesthetists, management among a few that  equip them with skills to lead in the palliative care industry  (American nurses Association, 2012)

They are team leaders in improving access to facilities through educating communities of available resources, which residents may not know are there for their benefit. In situations of natural disasters advance practice nurses in public settings lead teams to intervene at the time, provide support in the aftermath and follow through with health care interventions until normalcy is achieved (American nurses Association, 2012)

Another major role which is sometimes ignored in the advance practice nurse team leadership is promoting clinical excellence in the work environment while reducing cost of care for both patients and institution. Precisely, in the capacity of palliative care team leader the advanced practice nurses adapts a patient care and family support team leadership known to be interdisciplinary. This leadership guides the patient/family throughout the entire end of life experience coordinating services such as physical therapy, social worker, support nonmedical groups, assistance with medication at home management as these disciplines are linked as the patient/family individual health care providers (American nurses Association, 2012).

With the rising cost of health care in America and many of the nations’ sick people without health insurance advance practice nurses who function alongside medical practitioners have helped reduce health care cost tremendously. It is not that they would receive less quality of service, but rather everyone could access care because it becomes affordable. This intervention can be recognized as a major impact in quality improvement articulated by advance practice nursing intervention.

Do you know of any Evidence Based Practice activities in your area that APNs have spearheaded?

Jill Webb (2012) is an advanced practice nurse who has spearheaded many research studies in nursing. At first she felt that it was a waste of time since her desire was to become a critical care nurse. However, after graduating she realized how useful it was in evidence-based practice executing the role of advance practice nurse. She later spearheaded evidence-based research from the perspective of establishing guidelines pertinent to nursing practice.

References

American Nurses Association ( 2012) .Advanced Practice Nursing: Pioneering Practices in Palliative Care report and A Position Statement from American Nursing Association. ANA

Gerrish, K. McDonnell, A. Nolan, M. Guillaume, L. Kirshbaum. M., & Tod A ( 2111). The role of advanced practice nurses in knowledge brokering as a means of promoting evidence-based practice among clinical nurses. J Adv Nurs,  67(9 ), 2004-14

Jansen. M., & Stauffacher, M. (2012). Advanced Practice Nursing: Core Concepts for Professional role development. New York. Springer Publishing Company.

Webb, J (2012). Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice. Evolve