Research The Role Of The Nurse Practitioner Selection And De
Research The Role Of The Nurse Practitionerselect And Describe An Adv
Research the role of the Nurse Practitioner. Select and describe an Advanced Nurse Practitioner role. Reason why are you becoming a Nurse Practitioner? Must find one research article, expert opinion about the Nurse Practitioner role and summarize the article. Please include what the Institute Of Medicine (IOM) say about the need of Nurse Practitioners?
Identify and describe the effects that you will have as an advanced practice nurse in terms of healthcare industry and patient outcomes. Submission Instructions: at least 4 pages in content; nor longer than 5 pages in length, excluding the title, abstract and references page. Please include an ABSTRACT. please. to have a minimum of 6 current (published from 2017 up to now) scholarly journal articles, books or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles and books should be referenced according to current APA style 7 edition. No websites allowed for references. Please include doi, pages, etc. Plagiarism needs to be less than 10%.
Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The role of Nurse Practitioners (NPs) has become increasingly vital in addressing the evolving demands of healthcare systems worldwide. As the healthcare landscape shifts toward more patient-centered, accessible, and efficient care, NPs are playing a critical role in bridging gaps in primary and specialty care. This paper explores a specific advanced practice nursing role—the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)—highlighting the scope of practice, the reasons motivating my pursuit of this role, and the broader implications for healthcare and patient outcomes. Additionally, the paper synthesizes current scholarly perspectives, including expert opinions and authoritative reports such as the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) recommendations regarding the importance of NPs in the contemporary healthcare environment.
Overview of the Family Nurse Practitioner Role
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) serves as a primary care provider across diverse age groups, offering comprehensive health assessments, diagnosing illnesses, managing chronic conditions, and emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. FNPs are trained to function independently or collaboratively within healthcare teams, providing holistic care that integrates physical, psychological, and social aspects of health. Their scope encompasses health education, counseling, and chronic disease management, which enhances access to healthcare, particularly in underserved communities (Mick, 2018). Their training involves graduate-level education—typically a master's or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)—coupled with national certification, ensuring high standards of clinical competence.
Motivation to Become a Nurse Practitioner
My aspiration to become an FNP stems from a desire to make a tangible difference in individual lives and community health outcomes. The flexibility and autonomy inherent in the role allow NPs to serve as primary care providers, especially in areas facing physician shortages. Furthermore, the opportunity to deliver comprehensive, continuous care aligns with my commitment to holistic and patient-centered practices. I am motivated by the potential to address healthcare disparities and improve access, leveraging advanced clinical skills, health advocacy, and interprofessional collaboration.
Research and Expert Opinions on the Nurse Practitioner Role
A recent study by Buerhaus et al. (2019) emphasizes that NPs significantly contribute to improving healthcare access, patient satisfaction, and cost-effective care. The researchers highlight that NPs are particularly effective in primary care roles, managing acute and chronic conditions, and reducing hospital readmissions. They advocate for the expanded utilization of NPs to meet future healthcare demands, arguing that their integration can alleviate the burden on physicians and improve health outcomes.
Expert opinions, including those from Dr. Linda Aiken, reinforce this perspective, citing that NPs are essential in modern healthcare delivery due to their versatility, advanced training, and patient-centered approach (Aiken et al., 2020). The Institute of Medicine (IOM) report "The Future of Nursing" underscores the criticality of investing in nursing education, expanding scope of practice, and removing regulatory barriers to fully leverage NPs' potential in transforming healthcare (IOM, 2011). The IOM advocates for a more prominent role for nurses in policymaking, primary care, and leadership to improve accessibility and address the complex needs of an aging population.
Effects on Healthcare Industry and Patient Outcomes
As an advanced practice nurse, my role would significantly impact the healthcare industry by enhancing service delivery efficiency, promoting team-based care, and reducing healthcare costs. By offering primary care services, NPs help address shortages of physicians, particularly in rural and underserved areas. This expansion of services fosters earlier detection of health issues, timely interventions, and better management of chronic illnesses, ultimately reducing hospitalizations and improving quality of life.
Patient outcomes are positively influenced by NPs through increased access to care, patient education, and continuity of care. Evidence suggests that NPs excel in promoting preventative health measures, increasing adherence to treatment plans, and reducing disparities among vulnerable populations (Kuo et al., 2018). Their holistic approach ensures that patients receive personalized care that respects cultural, social, and economic factors affecting health. In addition, NPs' ability to foster strong patient-provider relationships enhances satisfaction, adherence, and health literacy.
Conclusion
The evolution of the Nurse Practitioner role represents a pivotal advancement in healthcare provision. The Family Nurse Practitioner role exemplifies the advanced skills, autonomy, and holistic focus essential for addressing contemporary health challenges. Motivated by a commitment to improving access and patient-centered outcomes, I aim to contribute meaningfully to the healthcare system as an FNP. The supporting research and expert opinions affirm that integrating NPs more fully into healthcare teams enhances service delivery, optimizes health outcomes, and aligns with the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine. As healthcare continues to evolve, NPs will remain integral to fostering a more equitable, efficient, and effective health system.
References
Aiken, L. H., et al. (2020). Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants: Accelerating Access and Improving Quality. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 11(4), 36–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(20)30059-7
Buerhaus, P. I., Desroches, S., and Auerbach, D. I. (2019). Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in Primary Care: Evidence on Their Roles and Contributions. Health Affairs, 38(6), 973–980. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05175
Institute of Medicine (IOM). (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/12956
Kuo, Y. F., et al. (2018). The Impact of Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants in Primary Care: Evidence from State Medicaid Programs. Medical Care, 56(9), 754–760. https://doi.org/10.1097/MLR.0000000000000954
Mick, S. (2018). The Evolving Role of the Family Nurse Practitioner. Journal of Primary Care & Community Health, 9, 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1177/2150131918789190