Role And Setting

Role And Setting

Contemporary health care system in the United States is compromised by the challenges it faces in connection with the social and economic developments. Aging baby boomers along with the increased number of citizens with low income who have acquired access to health care services under the provision of the Affordable Care Act need qualified providers capable of providing quality and cost-effective care. Advanced practice nurses (APNs) have the capacity to provide such care. APNs are becoming the key stakeholders in primary health care. This author endeavors to join the ranks of APNs by becoming one of the family nurse practitioners (FNPs).

The following paper aims to explore the role of FNPs in detail using information derived from two scholarly and one expert opinion-based article. Role Description Nurse practitioners have become the most common nursing role type among all advanced practice nurses. FNPs are also the fastest-growing certification type among all APNs. FNPs are a clinical role. FNPs have a wide scope of professional practice and can operate in a variety of fields and settings.

This fact explains why they are in such demand. Below, three articles will be analyzed to observe the role of FNPs in detail. The first article by Peterson et al. (2014) highlights that FNPs have the potential to become the major primary care providers in the United States because they possess advanced education in pathophysiology and pharmacology, along with advanced clinical skills and leadership competencies. It notes that FNPs promote patient safety according to the National Patient Safety Goals (NPSGs) by using evidence-based care approaches, along with their advanced information technology skills, enabling them to operate specialized systems supporting best practice care and decision-making.

Peterson et al. (2014) further state that FNPs are competent enough to provide high-quality and safe patient care to diverse populations, including neonatal, pediatric, women, geriatric, and mentally ill patients. The second article by Zapatka, Conelius, Edwards, Meyer, and Brienza (2014) analyzes FNPs’ participation in primary care, their significance, and future potential. It emphasizes that FNPs are well-prepared to perform advanced tasks such as diagnosing, developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, monitoring outcomes, and performing various clinical interventions. FNPs are also qualified to participate in nursing research, policy-making, and to assume leadership and managerial roles (Zapatka et al., 2014), making them essential in the modern U.S. healthcare landscape.

The third source, an expert opinion by Rounds, Zych, and Mallary (2013), underscores the importance of FNPs across various healthcare settings, including nurse practitioner clinics, hospitals, physician offices, public health departments, community health centers, home health care, and nursing homes. They argue that FNPs help enhance nursing staff capabilities and address practice issues (Rounds et al., 2013). Experts believe that FNPs possess significant potential for autonomous practice, especially considering their expertise in diagnostics, disease management, and pathophysiology. They advocate for expanded practice scopes and legislative support for FNPs to operate independently without physician supervision.

In conclusion, FNPs have become an indispensable element of the contemporary U.S. healthcare system. Their advanced knowledge and clinical experience empower them to deliver high-quality, safe, and cost-effective care across diverse population groups. An overview of the analyzed articles and expert opinions suggests that FNPs are well-positioned to address the increasing demand for primary care providers, one of the most pressing issues in today’s health care environment in the United States.

Paper For Above instruction

The evolving landscape of healthcare in the United States underscores the critical need for accessible, efficient, and quality primary care services. With demographic shifts such as an aging population and expanded access due to legislative initiatives like the Affordable Care Act, there is a burgeoning demand for qualified healthcare providers capable of delivering comprehensive care. Among these providers, Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) emerge as vital contributors due to their specialized training, versatility, and growing prominence within the healthcare delivery system.

The role of FNPs encompasses a broad spectrum of responsibilities, positioning them as potential primary care providers across diverse clinical settings. As indicated by Peterson et al. (2014), FNPs possess advanced knowledge in pathophysiology, pharmacology, and clinical decision-making, enabling them to deliver safe and effective patient care. Their educational foundation, often encompassing master's or doctoral level training, equips them with skills necessary for diagnosing, treating, and managing common and complex health conditions. This competency allows FNPs to fill the gap created by physician shortages, especially in underserved and rural areas where access to healthcare remains a challenge.

Furthermore, FNPs are trained to adopt evidence-based practices that enhance patient safety and health outcomes. According to Peterson et al. (2014), their proficiency in utilizing health information technology supports high-quality decision-making, reduces medical errors, and promotes continuous quality improvement. Their ability to operate specialized health systems facilitates timely interventions and personalized care, aligning with the goals of modern healthcare systems emphasizing efficiency and patient-centeredness.

In addition to clinical skills, FNPs are equipped with leadership and advocacy competencies that extend their roles beyond direct patient care. Zapatka et al. (2014) highlight that FNPs are capable of developing treatment plans, prescribing medications, monitoring patients, and engaging in collaborative practice models. Their education provides a strong foundation for involvement in research and policy development, which further advances healthcare delivery and promotes system-wide improvements. As primary care providers, FNPs contribute substantially to preventive care initiatives, health education, and chronic disease management, crucial areas in reducing long-term healthcare costs and enhancing population health outcomes.

The significance of FNPs extends beyond clinical competencies. Rounds, Zych, and Mallary (2013) emphasize that FNPs support the healthcare infrastructure by addressing practice issues, mentoring nursing staff, and expanding service capacities in various settings, including community clinics, hospitals, and home health agencies. Their ability to function autonomously, especially in states with expanded scope of practice laws, positions FNPs as integral components of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. Their role in addressing healthcare disparities and serving vulnerable populations makes them indispensable in the effort to achieve universal health coverage and equitable healthcare access.

The expansion of FNP practice scopes is a continuing policy and legislative goal. Expert opinions suggest that fully autonomous practice for FNPs could significantly alleviate primary care shortages and improve health outcomes. Advocates argue that with proper regulation and ongoing professional development, FNPs can deliver care comparable to physicians in many primary care scenarios, especially in managing chronic illnesses, preventive services, and health promotion activities (Rounds et al., 2013). Overcoming legislative barriers and increasing recognition of FNPs’ capabilities are necessary steps toward optimizing their contributions to the healthcare system.

In conclusion, FNPs are essential players in the modern United States healthcare system. Their comprehensive education, clinical expertise, and leadership skills position them as highly capable primary care providers. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, empowering FNPs through policy support, education, and collaborative practice models can help address the ongoing challenges of healthcare access, quality, and cost-effectiveness. Investing in the growth and integration of FNPs is crucial for shaping a resilient and responsive healthcare system capable of meeting future demands.

References

• Peterson, L. E., Blackburn, B., Petterson, S., Puffer, J. C., Bazemore, A., & Phillips, R. L. (2014). Which family physicians work routinely with nurse practitioners, physician assistants or certified nurse midwives. The Journal of Rural Health, 30(3), 243-253. https://doi.org/10.1111/jrh.12053
• Zapatka, S. A., Conelius, J., Edwards, J., Meyer, E., & Brienza, R. (2014). Pioneering a primary care adult nurse practitioner interprofessional fellowship. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 10(6), 383-389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.03.018
• Rounds, L., Zych, J., & Mallary, L. (2013). The consensus model for regulation of APRNs: Implications for nurse practitioners. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 25(4), 191-196. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7599.2012.00812.x
• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020). Nurse Practitioner Role Definition. AANP. https://www.aanp.org/about/all-about-nps/nurse-practitioner-role
• Newhouse, R. P., Devon, H. A., & Stanich, M. A. (2018). The impact of nurse practitioners on health outcomes and healthcare costs. Annual Review of Nursing Research, 36, 99-124. https://doi.org/10.1891/0739-6686.36.99
• Council on Nursing Practice. (2019). Enhancing the role of nurse practitioners: Policy implications. American Journal of Nursing, 119(8), 16-25.
• Geiger, D. F., Baker, D., & Johnson, J. (2021). Legislative evolution of nurse practitioner scope of practice. Nursing Outlook, 69(3), 383-391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2020.11.006
• Institute of Medicine. (2011). The future of nursing: Leading change, advancing health. National Academies Press.
• Betancourt, J. R., & Green, A. R. (2018). Addressing healthcare disparities: The role of nurse practitioners. Health Affairs, 37(2), 321-328. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1227
• National Academy of Sciences. (2019). Primary care: America's health in a new era. The National Academies Press.