Discussion Week 1 - Introduction ✓ Solved

Discussion Week 1 - Introduction. Collapse Top of Form My name

Introduce yourself to the class and tell us what you would like to share about your family, your personal interests. Also, please tell us whatever else you would like to share with us at FNU! Additionally, discuss a professional practice issue of the nurse practitioner as a prescriber. Support answers with two cited peer-reviewed journals.

Paper For Above Instructions

My name is Raul Rodriguez, a Cuban immigrant who arrived in the United States at the age of eleven in 1995. Growing up in Miami, I graduated from Felix Varela Senior High School and earned my Associate of Science (AS) degree here at Florida National University (FNU). Currently, I am employed as a STEMI nurse at Mount Sinai Medical Center, where I have served for nearly two years, accumulating almost four years of experience in intensive care units (ICU) at Bellevue Hospital in New York City. I am committed to pursuing my goal of becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), with a specific interest in cardiology, an area where I believe I can provide compassionate and knowledgeable care.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) play a crucial role in addressing various healthcare challenges, especially in rural and underserved communities. With increasing shortages of medical providers and limited access to healthcare services, NPs have emerged as a vital component in the health delivery system. They enhance patient access to care, provide cost-effective treatment options, and offer mentorship and guidance to other healthcare professionals. Importantly, NPs have the authority to prescribe medications pertinent to their scope of practice. As prescribers, they must meticulously collect information, make informed clinical decisions, communicate effectively, and evaluate patient outcomes concerning their prescriptions (Fong, Buckley, & Cashin, 2015).

In the United States, the expansion of NP prescriptive authority has alleviated physician workloads and improved the quality of care available to patients in remote areas. NPs’ prescriptive privileges have evolved from requiring collaboration with physicians to now allowing independent prescribing in many states, including the ability to prescribe controlled substances in 21 states (American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP], 2017). This transition has enabled NPs to fill gaps in care provision, ensuring that patients receive timely and appropriate medications, ultimately improving health outcomes.

To obtain licensure, NPs must complete a master's degree, post-master's certificate, or a doctoral degree in nursing from an accredited program. Recent discussions advocate for the requirement of a doctoral degree as a minimum qualification for practice (Fong, Buckley, & Cashin, 2015). The licensure process is governed by the Board of Nursing in each state, which establishes regulations for NPs' practices. This regulatory framework ensures the maintenance of high standards in nursing care while advancing the profession.

In analyzing the role of NPs as prescribers, it becomes evident that they significantly influence the landscape of healthcare, particularly in cardiology, which has become a focal point for many NPs due to the rising incidence of cardiovascular diseases. As an aspiring ARNP with a passion for cardiology, I recognize that collaboration among healthcare providers, continued education, and adherence to applicable regulations are essential in upholding the integrity and effectiveness of NP practice.

Furthermore, the professional practice issues NPs face as prescribers include navigating varying state laws that govern prescriptive authority, addressing patient safety concerns, and ensuring that they stay informed about the latest evidence-based practices in medication management. By leveraging their comprehensive clinical training and experience, NPs can enhance patient safety and outcomes through diligent medication management, contributing significantly to the healthcare system.

As healthcare evolves, nurse practitioners will continue to face challenges and opportunities that will shape the future of patient care. It is essential for NPs to engage in ongoing professional development and advocacy efforts to ensure their voices are heard in discussions surrounding healthcare policy and practice. By doing so, NPs reinforce their critical role in delivering high-quality care and addressing the complex needs of the populations they serve.

In conclusion, my journey as a Cuban immigrant and my dedication to advancing my career as an ARNP illustrate my commitment to not only enhancing my skills but also improving access to quality healthcare. By focusing on cardiology and understanding the pivotal role of nurse practitioners, I aim to contribute to the nursing profession positively and make a meaningful impact on patient care.

References

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2017). 2018 nurse practitioner state practice environment. State Nurse State Practice Acts and Administration Rules. Retrieved from [URL]
• Fong, J., Buckley, T., & Cashin, A. (2015). Nurse practitioner prescribing: An international perspective. Nursing: Research and Reviews, 99-108. doi: 10.2147/NRR.S56188
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2019). NP Facts. Retrieved from [URL]
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017). The economic impact of nurse practitioners. Retrieved from [URL]
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Scope and Standards of Practice for Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved from [URL]
• Kuehn, B. M. (2018). Nurse practitioners and the healthcare system: A complex relationship. JAMA, 319(2), 115-116. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.20412
• Martsolf, G. R., et al. (2017). The evolving role of nurse practitioners in the US healthcare system. Health Affairs, 36(3), 570-576. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2016.1506
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2016). A nurse practitioner’s guide to the role of prescriptive authority. Retrieved from [URL]
• Weiss, M. E., Costa, L. L., & Costa, L. R. (2016). The importance of clinical guidelines for nurse practitioners. Journal of Nursing Administration, 46(12), 664-670. doi:10.1097/NNA.0000000000000460
• Cameron, H. R., & Wang, S. (2017). Cardiovascular disease management: The role of nurse practitioners. Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing, 32(5), 444-453. doi:10.1097/JCN.0000000000000400