Describe Three Barriers That Have Slowed Down Progres 751580

Describe Three Barriers That Have Slowed Down The Progress Of Advanced

Describe three barriers that have slowed down the progress of advanced practice nursing and strategies to help overcome these barriers. (Saunders, 2014). Nurse practitioners are faced with many barriers as healthcare evolves with different circumstances. As we all know, the nursing shortage has significantly increased, especially since the start of this pandemic. Nurses are leaving the field because they are afraid of transmitting hospital-exposed viruses to their loved ones. Telehealth has been the go-to method to assist patients with medical concerns.

Nursing is now in high demand since we are the frontline workers. We spend the majority of our time caring for patients while providing SBAR reports to physicians. RNs and NPs are similar—they must provide leadership and guidance to remove barriers to high-quality care. It is unjust for nurses to be short-changed given the hard work they render.

Often, physicians do not prefer being disturbed late at night for orders. Allowing NPs to take over can enable them to provide precise orders, thereby freeing physicians to focus on critical cases. Utilizing more practitioners could increase the capacity of physicians to care for more patients. Advanced practice RNs should be allowed to practice to the full extent of their education and training. Currently, Nurse Practitioners cannot prescribe controlled substances without a DEA number.

As nurse practitioners, we can identify patients who may benefit from controlled substances based on diagnosis and symptoms. Since many physicians own their practices, it can be difficult for patients to access necessary care when hospitalized or at home. Having a nurse practitioner on-site or on-call allows doctors to care for patients more safely without frequent disturbances. NPs can accurately assess patients and prescribe appropriate medications. Nurse practitioners play key roles in improving healthcare.

NPs can operate healthcare clinics, doctors' offices, and other healthcare settings. We undergo extensive training and education comparable to residents, ensuring we practice safely. We are not in competition with physicians; rather, nurses spend more time with patients and can sometimes identify diagnoses independently. Many patients prefer NPs over doctors because nurses are nurturers who listen attentively to their concerns. The services provided by NPs should be recognized with equal pay for equal work alongside physicians.

State laws and licensure authorize nurse practitioners to evaluate, diagnose, prescribe medications, and initiate and manage treatment. Although laws vary by state, all NPs take an oath to deliver safe and effective care. Promoting strong collaborative relationships between NPs and physicians within healthcare teams can lead to high-value patient care. The use of electronic health records and direct billing for NP services can generate data demonstrating the significant contributions NPs make to patient outcomes, which could support equitable compensation. Policymakers can better appreciate the asset that nurse practitioners represent through these data.

Paper For Above instruction

Over the past decades, the healthcare landscape has experienced significant transformation, leading to new challenges and barriers that hinder the full utilization and advancement of nurse practitioners (NPs) and other advanced practice nurses. Understanding these barriers is fundamental to devising strategies that foster growth, improve healthcare delivery, and enhance patient outcomes. Among the key obstacles are legislative restrictions, professional resistance, and systemic healthcare limitations.

Legislative Restrictions

One of the most prominent barriers faced by nurse practitioners is the varying scope of practice laws across different states. Federal and state legislation often restricts NPs from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. For example, in some states, NPs are unable to prescribe controlled substances without a DEA registration or are limited in their authority to evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients independently. These legal constraints diminish the efficiency and accessibility of healthcare services provided by NPs, especially in underserved areas where physician shortages are most acute (Hain et al., 2014).

Strategies to overcome these legal barriers include advocacy for federal legislation that standardizes full practice authority for NPs nationwide. Professional nursing organizations have a critical role in lobbying policymakers, raising awareness about the safety and effectiveness of NP practice, and promoting legislative reforms that allow NPs to practice independently where appropriate (Clarin, 2007). Increasing public and professional awareness about the competencies of NPs can also bolster support for legislative change.

Professional Resistance

Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the safety and cost-effectiveness of NP-led care, resistance from some physicians and healthcare administrators persists. This resistance stems from concerns about professional territoriality, potential overlaps in scope of practice, and competition for patients (Saunders, 2014). Some physicians perceive NPs as threats to their professional roles and income, which can hinder collaborative practice models essential for integrated healthcare.

Addressing this challenge requires fostering interprofessional collaboration through education and shared practice models. Implementing joint training programs that emphasize team-based care and mutual respect can enhance understanding and cooperation between physicians and NPs (Clarin, 2007). Furthermore, emphasizing the complementary roles of physicians and NPs—rather than competition—can help mitigate resistance and promote a culture of collaboration.

Systemic Healthcare Limitations

The healthcare system itself imposes structural barriers that limit NPs' ability to deliver comprehensive care. These include inadequate reimbursement models, limited billing rights for NP-provided services, and insufficient integration of NPs into healthcare systems’ administrative frameworks (Hain et al., 2014). Such systemic issues decrease practice viability, limit resource availability, and discourage NPs from full engagement in healthcare delivery.

Potential solutions involve policy reforms that expand billing rights for NPs and incentivize healthcare systems to integrate NPs as primary care providers. Transitioning towards value-based care models that recognize the contributions of NPs can also enhance their roles and remuneration. Additionally, expanding telehealth services and electronic health records can improve practice efficiency, data collection, and visibility of NP contributions.

In conclusion, overcoming the barriers to advanced practice nursing requires concerted efforts at the legislative, professional, and systemic levels. Promoting full practice authority across states, fostering collaborative relationships among healthcare providers, and reforming healthcare policies to recognize and reward NP contributions are essential steps. These strategies not only facilitate the advancement of NPs but ultimately contribute to more accessible, efficient, and patient-centered healthcare systems.

References

  • Clarin, O. A. (2007). Strategies to overcome barriers to effective nurse practitioner and physician collaboration. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 3(8), 357-362. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2007.05.008
  • Hain, D., Fleck, L. M., & Fleck, L. M. (2014). Barriers to NP practice that impact healthcare redesign. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(2). https://doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No02Man0
  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). State practice environment. https://www.aanp.org/advocacy/state/state-practice-environment
  • Buppert, C. (2019). Nurse practitioners' scope of practice: Myths and realities. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(4), 236-241.
  • Yale School of Nursing. (2021). Promoting collaborative practice: Policy approaches. https://nursing.yale.edu/research/centers/center-for-quality-improvement-in-nursing
  • Institute of Medicine. (2010). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. National Academies Press.
  • Newhouse, R. P., et al. (2011). Advanced practice nurse outcomes 1990-2008: A systematic review. Nursing Economics, 29(5), 230-250.
  • Reid, P. P., et al. (2018). Variations in primary care physician and nurse practitioner scope of practice: A state-based analysis. Health Affairs, 37(7), 987-995.
  • Mate, K., et al. (2020). Impact of team-based care on health outcomes. Journal of Health Services Research & Policy, 25(2), 99-106.
  • American Nurses Association. (2019). Nursing scope and standards of practice. https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/standards/

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