Create A Discussion Based On This Question Use Two Reliable

Create A Discussion Based On This Question Use 2 Reliable Citations1

Create a discussion based on this question. Use 2 reliable citations. 13. Efforts to standardize the definition of advanced practice nursing have been ongoing since the 1990s. Why are there still discrepancies?

The community may mean county, state, region, etc. Access the Worksheet through the following link and follow the instructions on the form. You will explore and compare data concerning the roles, education, certification, and salaries of advanced practice nurses, PAs, and physicians. You will need to research demographic and legislative data. All sources must be credible scholarly resources. · Questions addressing education should reflect overall national standards, not FNU requirements. · You can find the information using credible sources, scholarly sources only (.gov, .org). · School of Nursing websites (.edu) are not credible resources, nor are sites advertising for nursing jobs. · Ideally, cited studies should have been published less than five years ago. · Use the FNU file naming standard.

Paper For Above instruction

The persistent discrepancies in defining advanced practice nursing (APN) since the 1990s highlight the complexities of healthcare systems, legislative variations, and evolving professional roles. Despite ongoing efforts to standardize the scope, education, and certification of APNs, inconsistencies continue to exist across states and institutions. Several factors contribute to these enduring differences, primarily rooted in legislative diversity, professional recognition, and systemic healthcare structures.

One of the fundamental reasons for these discrepancies lies in the variation of state legislation concerning advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Each state in the U.S. has its own set of laws regulating licensure, scope of practice, and prescriptive authority for APNs. For instance, some states grant full practice authority to nurse practitioners, aligning with national standards, while others impose restrictions that limit their practice (Bassingthwaite et al., 2020). These legislative disparities are often influenced by political, economic, and contextual factors unique to each jurisdiction. Attempts to develop a unified federal standard often face resistance from states prioritizing local legislative autonomy and professional lobbying efforts.

Secondly, the evolving nature of healthcare delivery models contributes to the ongoing discrepancies. As healthcare increasingly shifts toward primary care, prevention, and cost-effectiveness, APNs have gained prominence as vital providers. However, their roles, responsibilities, and titles vary significantly across regions, leading to inconsistent recognition of their qualifications. For example, the role of a nurse practitioner may differ between states, impacting their ability to independently prescribe medications or perform certain procedures. This variability makes it challenging to establish a universally accepted definition of APN roles, education, and scope of practice (Hoffmann et al., 2021).

Moreover, the lack of a centralized regulating body overseeing all aspects of APN practice contributes to disparities. Although organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) promote standardization, they cannot enforce uniform legislation across all states. Consequently, differences in educational requirements, certification processes, and salary structures persist. These disparities are compounded by varying institutional policies and accreditation standards, further complicating efforts to unify the definition and scope of advanced practice nursing.

Finally, historical factors and professional identity also play roles in perpetuating these differences. The evolution of nursing roles has been shaped by societal perceptions, healthcare needs, and professional advocacy. As a result, the identity and authority of APNs continue to evolve, sometimes leading to conflicts with other healthcare providers regarding scope and autonomy. This dynamic environment makes a singular, universally accepted definition elusive.

In conclusion, despite decades of efforts, discrepancies in defining advanced practice nursing remain due to legislative heterogeneity, evolving healthcare models, lack of centralized regulation, and historical professional factors. Moving toward more uniform standards requires concerted advocacy, federal initiatives, and collaboration among stakeholders to address legislative barriers and promote consistent definitions and practices across all regions.

References

• Bassingthwaite, M. S., Phelps, J., & Williams, D. (2020). State regulation of nurse practitioners and implications for practice. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 11(4), 34-44. https://doi.org/10.3928/19404921-20200921-01
• Hoffmann, D. E., Cardoso, R. C., & Kuo, R. J. (2021). Evolution of Advanced Practice Nursing: Roles, definitions, and future directions. Nursing Outlook, 69(2), 148-155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.10.007