Advanced Practice Nursing Essay

What is the central component of advanced practice nurses (APNs) direct clinical practice and patient/families?
According to Hamric, Spross and Hanson (2005), “advanced practice nursing is the application of the expanded range of practical, theoretical and research based- competencies” to provide patient care in different settings (Pulcini, 2013). Advanced practice registered nurse APRN is a nurse that completed a graduate level program that can practice as a certified nurse practitioner, (NP) certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA), clinical nurse midwife (CNM) or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) (Scope and standard, 2010). To be licensed to practice as APRN, they need to pass a national certification exam and maintained their license via recertification through continuous competencies.

NP provides direct clinical practice to patients and their families.

Age groups who can receive treatment from NPs are from neonate to elderly Adult. They can manage either acute or chronic illnesses. Additional job description of NP is their ability to provide comprehensive assessment, establish differential diagnosis, treat, order and interpret laboratories and diagnostic tests or even prescribed medication. They can also make referrals to other specialty areas (oncology, psychiatric etc.) if furthers assessment needs to be done regarding patient health status. An NP can be involved in health promotion and disease prevention by providing education to patients and their family about disease processes (Advance practice, “n.d.”). In contrast, CNS practice is more focus in education, consultation to other disciplines, research conduction, improving quality of care, and administrative role. CNS also provides direct patient role but NPs spend twice as much time providing direct care. CNS is more likely to teach, conduct support groups and provides psychotherapy in daily basis to health care staff (Lincoln,

2000).
“Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are advanced practice nurses with additional training in delivering babies and providing prenatal and postpartum care to women” (APN Certified Nurse, “n.d.”. Their main function is to provide a gynecological check up, family planning consults, prenatal and postpartum care and even deliver babies. While CRNA, can administer anesthesia during surgical procedures. They provide anesthesia-related care in four general categories: First, preanesthetic preparation and evaluation. This may include consultation (patient and family) assessment and evaluation of patient prior to surgical procedures. Second, they deal with anesthesia induction, maintenance and emergence. It may include protecting patient’s airway and responding to medical emergency. Third post anesthesia care by proving patient with post anesthesia follow up and evaluation. And lastly, they stipulate perianesthetic and clinical support functions (Qualifications and capabilities, “n.d.”).
Most direct patient care is acted upon by NPs, CNMs and CRNAs. They are individually accountable for their practice and usually collaborate closely with other discipline including physicians.
Why do we need national certification?
Nurses achieve certification credentials through specialized education, experience in a specialty area, and a qualifying exam (Why Certify? 2010). “Credentialing advances the profession of nursing by both encouraging and recognizing professional achievement “ (Coleman, Coon, Lockhart et al, 2009). It protects the public by making sure, APN are knowledgeable and skilled in their chosen specialties before providing care. It gives assurance to patient that they have met a standard of practice prior to rendering service. It demonstrates their commitment to their profession through continuous learning and recertification. Finally it provides individual a sense of pride, recognition and accomplishment by being recognized by patients, families and employers as experts in their field.
In a survey done by Jacobs & Glassie (2004), eighty six percent (86 %) of nurse managers indicated that they will hire certified nurse over a non certified nurse since they have proven knowledge base in their own specialty and demonstrates commitment to life ling learning (Jacob & Glassie, 2004). Certification is a profession's official recognition of achievement, expertise, and clinical judgment (Why certify? 2010).

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