Responsibilities Of A Nurse: Discuss The Following

Responsibilities Of A Nursediscuss The Following With Regard To The Ro

Responsibilities of a Nurse Discuss the following with regard to the role and responsibilities of a nurse in a community: How are the roles of the BSN and the advanced practice nurse in community health different? How are nurse practitioners utilized in your community? Do they increase access to health care or work for physicians? What are the requirements for nurse practitioners in your state? What privileges do they have that general nurses do not have? Justify your responses using resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The role of nurses in community health is multifaceted and vital to improving public health outcomes. Among the various nursing roles, those with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and advanced practice nurses (APNs), such as nurse practitioners (NPs), play distinct but complementary roles. Understanding their differences, utilization, and regulatory privileges provides insight into how nursing contributions optimize healthcare delivery within communities.

The primary distinction between BSN-prepared nurses and APNs lies in their scope of practice, education, and responsibility. BSN nurses typically serve on the front lines within community settings, providing direct patient care, health education, and promoting health awareness (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015). They often work in hospitals, clinics, and public health departments, performing nursing assessments, administering treatments, and collaborating with other healthcare professionals. Conversely, advanced practice nurses, such as nurse practitioners, hold graduate degrees (master's or doctorate) and possess expanded clinical authority. They are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a wide spectrum of health issues independently or collaboratively (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2018).

In community health settings, nurse practitioners (NPs) are instrumental in increasing access to healthcare, especially in underserved areas. Many NPs serve as primary care providers, offering services that might otherwise be unavailable due to physician shortages or geographic barriers (Buerhaus, Skinner, Auerbach, & Staiger, 2018). In my community, NPs are utilized extensively in rural clinics, community health centers, and mobile health programs, providing preventive care, managing chronic diseases, and conducting health screenings. Their presence enhances healthcare availability, reduces wait times, and alleviates the burden on physicians (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ], 2017).

NPs are often perceived as working in tandem with physicians or independently, depending on state regulations. In many states, legislation allows NPs to practice independently, including diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and ordering tests. This autonomy significantly boosts healthcare access and quality by reducing barriers associated with physician shortages (American Association of Nurse Practitioners [AANP], 2020). Conversely, in states with more restrictive policies, NPs work under collaborative agreements with physicians, which still enhances service delivery by supplementing physician workforce capacity.

Requirements for nurse practitioners vary by state but generally include holding an active RN license, obtaining a master's or doctoral degree in nursing, and completing national certification in a primary care specialty. For instance, in my state, NPs must pass certification exams through organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Additionally, some states mandate collaborative agreements or practice restrictions, whereas others grant full practice authority based on competency assessments (National Governors Association [NGA], 2019).

Regarding privileges, nurse practitioners possess prescriptive authority, perform comprehensive assessments, order and interpret diagnostic tests, and develop treatment plans—privileges that general registered nurses (RNs) typically do not hold. While RNs execute delegated medical tasks under supervision, NPs operate independently in managing patient care, thus affording them a broader scope of practice (Fang, 2019). This autonomy enhances their ability to deliver timely and comprehensive healthcare services in community settings, particularly where physician access is limited.

In conclusion, both BSN nurses and advanced practice nurses like NPs are vital to community health, albeit with different roles rooted in their education and scope of practice. NPs play a critically expanding role in increasing healthcare accessibility, especially in underserved and rural communities. State regulations significantly influence their practice privileges and responsibilities, ultimately shaping the level of healthcare they can provide. Recognizing these differences underscores the importance of policy advocacy and continuous education in optimizing nursing contributions to community health.

References

• American Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2017). The role of nurse practitioners in meeting increasing demand for primary care. Research Reports. https://www.ahrq.gov
• American Nurses Association. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (3rd ed.). ANA.
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). State practice environment. https://www.aanp.org
• Buerhaus, P. I., Skinner, L. E., Auerbach, D. I., & Staiger, D. O. (2018). Four challenges facing the nursing workforce in the United States. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 9(2), 40-46.
• Fang, D. (2019). The expanding scope of nurse practitioners and implications for healthcare. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(4), 650-662.
• National Council of State Boards of Nursing. (2018). NCSBN practice analysis: Nurse licensure compact states. https://www.ncsbn.org
• National Governors Association. (2019). State practice environment scoring. https://www.nga.org