Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

I have been a neonatal intensive care (NICU) nurse for nearly 14 years. One of my favorite aspects of my role as a bedside nurse is precepting nursing students for their internship and orienting newly graduated nurses. I enjoy reading and learning about new evidence-based practice guidelines to improve patient care and long-term outcomes for neonates and sharing with my coworkers. Teaching has become a passion and many coworkers said I should teach full time because I can explain things well and have a

vast knowledge base of NICU nursing. My children are now grown and in college, so I decided now was the time to pursue my Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). As much as I love bedside care, I knew I did not want to be in administrative type position or locked in to 24-hour call shifts as a neonatal nurse practitioner. The idea of MSN in Nursing Education seemed the best fit with my love of teaching and career goals. After completing my MSN, I hope to continue in my role as a NICU clinical nurse educator and transition to a parent educator. Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

We here often of the critical nursing shortage. Many reasons exist as to why nurses leave the bedside, but what about bringing new nurses to the profession? Qualified students try to get in nursing school and end up wait listed due to faculty shortages. Those students often choose a different profession. To combat this issue, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing lobbied for federal funding for faulty development programs (Shipman & Hooten, 2008). This contributed to my decision to pursue the specialty of nursing education with my MSN. I knew I would not have difficulty finding a position if I choose to become an academic instructor.

I love helping my coworkers learn more about NICU care and evidence-based practices. I also designed, implemented, and participate in our unit-based nurse mentor program. I developed a standardized orientation pathway for our newly graduated nurses to acclimate to their new career. I participate in multiple committees, such as developmental and unit council. Those are all great ways for clinical nurse educators to provide teaching formally and informally (Jenkins, 2008).

The first national organization to lobby for funding for nurse education research was the National League of Nurses (NLN). This professional organization focuses on nursing schools and faculty, and leaders in nursing education. After reviewing the benefits of the NLN membership, I discovered the cost is only $80 for graduate school students. One of the biggest benefits was free access to the publication ‘Nursing Education Perspectives” (NLN, n.d.)

I am excited to pursue my MSN with the specialty focus of nursing education. Teaching the next generation of nurses is so important to our professional. I look forward to the opportunity to inspire others to keep pushing nursing forward. Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Jenkins, P. (2008). The role of the nurse educator: Mentor, change agent, expert. Journal for Nurses in Staff Development, 24(5), 245-247. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.nnd.0000320686.49684.c6

National League of Nurses (NLN). (n.d.). Membership Services. Retrieved on November 2, 2020, from https://www.nln.org/membership

Shipman, D., & Hooten, J. (2008). Without enough nurse educators there will be a continual decline in RNs and the quality of nursing care: Contending with the faculty shortage. Nurse Education Today, 28, 521-523. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2008.03.001

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Online learning program for MSN is designed to assist students in the nursing profession make a difference in the field of health care. When selecting a profession, it is crucial to first consider the passion towards the course. It is also important to reassess your strengths, where you would like to see yourself in the next 5 years, and the group you prefer working with (Alquwez, 2020). In the discussion post written by Romeo, the author has made it clear the type of work setting he prefers. At Walden University, there are about eight distinct specializations. A practitioner can either work as a specialty nurse or nurse practitioner.

The desire to offer better care to family and patients is indeed a good mantra to start with. However, many people believe that nurse practitioners are limited to family practice only. That is not always the case with nursing profession (Vos, Boonstra, Kooistra, Seelen & Offenbeek, 2020). The university offers different nurse specializations. Each specialty offers the student an opportunity to take on extra responsibilities including examining patients, diagnosing illness, providing treatment, and prescribing medications. By choosing one of the specialty, Romeo has demonstrated the wish to focus on nursing education.

Regardless of the choice a person takes, specialization in the nursing profession is crucial as it helps to differentiate a practitioner in the field and aligns one’s interests with career goals. NLN is one organization that supports strategies for improving patient outcomes through effective collaboration and communication. The organization provides students with the opportunity to explore the most current health topics in collaboration with experts who serve as leaders in the healthcare system. Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Alquwez, N. (2020). Examining the Influence of Workplace Incivility on Nurses’ Patient Safety Competence. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 52, 3, 292-300.

Vos, J. F. J., Boonstra, A., Kooistra, A., Seelen, M., & Offenbeek, M. (2020). The influence of electronic health record use on collaboration among medical specialties. Bmc Health Services Research, 20, 1, 1-11.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Barnes, H., Richards, M. R., McHugh, M. D., & Martsolf, G. (2018). Rural and nonrural primary care physician practices increasingly rely on nurse practitioners. Health Affairs, 37(6), 908–914. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2017.1158

Poghosyan, L., Timmons, E. J., Abraham, C. M., & Martsolf, G. R. (2019). The economic impact of the expansion of nurse practitioner scope of practice for Medicaid. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 15–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2155-8256(19)30078-x

Wolff-Baker, D., & Ordona, R. (2019). The expanding role of nurse practitioners in home-based primary care: Opportunities and challenges. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 45(6), 9–14. https://doi.org/10.3928/00989134-20190422-01

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at Walden University provides a host of nursing specialties for advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) students based on the advanced nursing roles. These include certified nurse practitioner, nurse anesthetist, nurse midwife (NM and clinical nurse specialist. In this case, the selected advanced nursing program is nurse practice that leads to the role of being a nurse practitioner. In this case, the specialty is in psychiatry and a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP).

The choice of being a psychiatry nurse practitioner entails a consideration of several factors, and the difficulties in making the decision. There are several nursing specialties and choosing this one entails considering the other options, especially the awareness that each has an expanded scope and role (Phoenix, 2019). Mental health is a serious public health issue with millions suffering from different mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorder (SUD) and other conditions that require interventions. However, a significant number cannot access care services because of several limitations that include inadequate providers to cater to their needs (Kumar et al., 2020). Therefore, in making the choice to be a psychiatric nurse, one must consider the factors and the motivation behind their decision.

The difficulty in making the choice emanates from the existing options as well as ensuring one gets the specialty that meets their needs and destined to help them offer better care to patients. The expanded roles and scope of PMHNP means that one must examine all aspects and hurdles that they may influence their choices.

The professional nursing organization affiliated to the psychiatric nurses is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). The organization has over 15,000 members who comprise of professional nurses and postgraduate students. One joins the association through subscription whose payment is monthly or annually (APNA, 2023). The association enables psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners to develop interventions that are evidence-based because it offers resources from research findings.

A PMHNP is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. They are registered nurses who have specialized in psychiatric mental health nursing and who have completed a Master’s degree in psychiatric mental health nursing. PMHNPs work with patients who have a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder (Cherry et al., 2019). They provide assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for their patients. They may also prescribe medication to their patients as needed.

There are many reasons why I developed interest in PMHNP. My own choice of specialty was informed by personal experience with mental health problems that hat has negatively impacted the lives of my close family members. This is one of the reasons I feel so passionate about working in this field. It was hard for me to make this choice of becoming a PMHNP then I realized this was my passion to help others and my family with mental illness all along. It was not a hard decision for me to choose PMHNP because I had so much experience with it dealing with mentally ill patients has always been my passion.

Comparison between FNP and PMHNP

There are a few key differences between Family Nurse Practitioners (FNP) and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP). First, the focus of care. FNPs graduates are prepared to provide primary care for families, whereas PMHNP graduates focus specifically on mental health disorders. This can include diagnosing and treating mental illnesses, providing psychotherapy, and prescribing medications (Cherry et al., 2019). Second, the level of training. FNPs complete a Master’s degree, while PMHNPs earn a Doctorate in Nursing Practice. Finally, FNPs are certified through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), while PMHNPS are certified through the American Nurses Association’s Commission on Psychiatric Nursing Certification (Buppert, 2020). Mental illness is often misunderstood and fear-driven, but it is important to remember that these are real illnesses that impact real people’s lives. As a psychiatric nurse, I would have the opportunity to help people who are struggling with these conditions regain their health and quality of life.

There are a few different roles that graduates may hold within the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty. Some may work in clinics or doctor’s offices, while others may work in hospitals or other healthcare settings. Many FNPs also work in rural and underserved areas, providing much-needed care to those who might not have access to it otherwise. FNPs can provide primary care to patients of all ages, from infants to seniors. They can diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, prescribe medications, and provide education and counseling on various health topics. They also help patients manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease.

Massachusetts Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (MAAPPN) is one of the professional nursing organization that is involved in the regulation of PMHNP nurses. This professional organization composed of psychiatric nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists (Beck et al., 2020). The MAAPPN is the only statewide organization that represents advanced practice psychiatric nurses in Massachusetts. The MAAPPN provides advocacy, education, and networking opportunities to its members. It also promotes the role of psychiatric nurse practitioners and certified registered nurse anesthetists in the provision of mental health care in Massachusetts. To become a member of the MAAPPN, one must be a licensed psychiatric nurse practitioner or certified registered nurse anesthetist residing in Massachusetts (Beck et al., 2020). To join as an APRN, one must first verify their membership eligibility and then complete the online MAAPPN Member Application plus the required fees.

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

Beck, A. J., Page, C., Buche, J., & Gaiser, M. (2020). The distribution of advanced practice nurses within the psychiatric workforce. Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 26(1), 92-96. https://doi.org/10.1177/1078390319886366

Buppert, C. (2020). Nurse practitioner’s business practice and legal guide. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Scott, E. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49(11), 517-519. https://journals.lww.com/jonajournal/Abstract/2019/11000/Leveraging_the_Power_of_Board_Leadership_in.2.aspx

Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing2020, 48(12), 35-38. https://journals.lww.com/nursing/FullText/2018/12000/Make_connections_by_joining_a_professional_nursing.12.aspx

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Name: NURS_6003_Module06_Week10_Discussion_Rubric Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003

I worked on a gen/med floor in a level one trauma hospital when I started nursing.  It provided a good foundation for being a new nurse, but it was a slower-paced job than I was expecting.  Downtime has always been challenging for me, so I decided to change positions and become an intensive care nurse.  Here is where I found my passion for action, well, in a sense.  I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and had more confidence in my skills at the end of each shift.  And as I took on the position of charge nurse, I realized that I was good at being a leader. I enjoyed working in a high-intensity environment, and people responded well to me.  With this in mind, I decided to take things a step further in my career, so I applied to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program here at Walden.

As an ICU travel nurse, technically a “COVID ICU travel nurse,” the workload has become more demanding in the past year and a half.  During this time, I couldn’t physically be with my family due to obvious reasons, which made coping alone difficult.  I also started noticing a feeling of being utterly drained of energy.  I was burned out!  According to research, health workers can encounter various psychological difficulties when working in high-pressure and high-risk situations, such as those associated with disasters and pandemics (Salamah, 2020).  So instead of taking the break I so desperately needed, I decided to head back to nursing school and keep that momentum of intensity going.  Unfortunately, distraction is a coping mechanism I have learned to master.  So it’s clear to say, here is where I’ve been struggling a bit with making a definite career choice.  Though I love taking care of patients and providing support to families, I started questioning whether or not working in a hospital setting as a nurse practitioner is what I wanted to do.  I knew I needed some guidance and clarity if I wanted to stay on the path of becoming an acute care NP.

Being an active member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), I knew that I would find information to tackle my fatigue and learn new ways to plan for career advancement in the field I once loved.  In addition, AACN provides resources to assist nurses in prioritizing their well-being while providing substantial care to patients and their families.  For example, nurse leaders affiliated with the organization offer sessions on practical mindful activities to improve personal and organizational resilience during current challenging times in healthcare.  As a result, nurses will learn to implement strategic pauses and thoughtful moments into their workday (Bay, 2021).

There are several professional nursing organizations whose primary focus is on critical care nursing for nurses practicing in acute care, one being AACN.  The AACN has provided progressive and critical care nurses with world-class resources, education, and support for over 50 years and has over 130,000 members (AACN, 2021).  Listed below are some of the membership options for those who are interested in joining.  Membership fees can be found on the AACN website.

• Active membership is open to any registered nurse licensed in the United States interested in critical care nursing and is in good standing with their state or territory’s licensing office.  Additionally, nurses who work in research, administration, education, medical-surgical, telemetry, progressive care units, home health, or any other healthcare agency are qualified (AACN, 2021).
• Any LVN or LPN, non-nurse professional, or student working in these fields, as well as any healthcare consumer or member of the business or political community, is eligible.  However, affiliate members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
• Professional nurses who have an RN license in a country other than the United States are eligible. Membership includes all AACN privileges; however, all benefits, including a member card, are provided digitally (through email or the Web).  International members are not eligible to run for office or participate on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
• Any resident of the United States (or a non-citizen of the United States who resides inside the United States) enrolled in an accredited professional nursing program and is not currently licensed as a registered nurse is eligible.  Membership in the AACN entitles them to all AACN advantages.  However, student members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).

Discussion: Examining Nursing Specialties NURS 6003 References

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2021). AACN Membership Types and Rates. https://www.aacn.org/membership/aacn-membership-types-and-rate

Bay, L. M. (2021). Mindfulness: Using Pause Principles to Enhance Your Nursing Practice. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. https://www.aacn.org/education/ce-activities/nti18396/mindfulness-using-pause-principles-to-enhance-your-nursing-practice.

Salamah, B. (2020). Exploring the mental health needs of intensive care unit nurses facing the pandemic of covid-19. ScholarWorks@UARK. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursstudent/13/.

Nursing is a field that is filled with a litany of specialties to choose from, with each of them presenting its own distinctive opportunities and obstacles. Some of the known specialties in the Walden program include family nurse practitioner (FNP), pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP), psychiatry-mental health nurse practitioner, and adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner. A person’s decision to pursue a particular nursing specialty and leadership position could be influenced by a litany of factors that includes but are not limited to the following; personal interests and abilities, work-life balance, job outlook, and earning potential. Nevertheless, deciding on a nurse specialty or leadership position could be a herculean task considering that each specialty has its own pros and cons. Some nurses might have a very clear perspective of what they want to do, whereas others might be struggling with indecision.

For me, some of the difficulties I had in my choice of Family Nurse Practitioner among the litany of Walden MSN programs were, being able to balance patient care with administrative tasks such as charting, managing patient schedules and ordering tests, and maintaining work-life balance considering that family nurse practitioners tend to work long hours and may have a schedule that is highly demanding. On the other hand, the professional goals that drove my decision to settle with the family nurse practitioner specialty include the following: my desire to make a positive impact on the lives of patients across their lifespan, provide optimal patient care,  my desire to play a leadership role in patient care, my passion for preventative care,  having autonomy or the independence to take a clinical decision, the flexibility to choose a healthcare environment to work such as private practices, clinics, hospitals, etc., and high demand for family nurse practitioners in healthcare. These professional goals align with those of the Walden MSN program and will prepare me for the challenges of real-world practice.

For Cherry, B., et al, “Any nurse considering such a leadership position must be willing to embrace and promote 4 essential responsibilities if they are to be successful in leveraging the power of the professional nursing organization to advance nursing practice and influence the future of nursing. These essential responsibilities include the following; 1) promote professional development; 2) push the envelope to advance nursing standards and competencies; 3) address current and unique issues faced by the nurses everywhere; and 4) work within the professional organization structure to accomplish goals.” (Cherry, B., et al, 2019). These essential responsibilities will go a long way in helping the nurses who might be struggling with indecision to be decisive.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION

“A professional organization, also called a professional association or body, seeks to further a particular profession and the interest of its members and the public it serves. Many professional nursing organizations exist, and the cost of membership can vary greatly.” (Nurse.org., 2015)

A professional organization that is affiliated with family nurse practitioners is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). AANP is a national organization that represents the interests of nurse practitioners, including family nurse practitioners (FNPs). “The AANP can provide resources for continuing education, job postings, information about NP certification boards, and much more useful information.” (AANP, 2019). To become a member of AANP, the person must be a bona fide licensed nurse practitioner with a state board of nursing. AANP membership gives its members access to resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy on behalf of all nurse practitioners.

By choosing the PMHNP as our specialty, we also need to consider the stigma of mental illness is worldly, a significant societal problem. The overall community is widely misinformed regarding this problem, and dread of the mentally ill rests prevailing. Moreover, the stigma directly influences people with mental disorders and the cherished ones who assist them, often incorporating their family members. Stigma, hatred, and bias toward personages with mental illness can be complicated, but they can drive to wreck no matter the extent and add to worsening signs and decreased probability of receiving treatment. Moreover, it negatively affects rehabilitation among people diagnosed with critical mental ailments.

One of the significant interests for people with mental health issues is obtaining mental health care specialists who have the acquaintance and abilities to render extensive attention, including precautionary tactics, primary mental health, psychotherapy, and medication management. Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs) are tutored in the competencies that could aid reach the requirements of this community. Sadly, the psych NP function is defectively discovered, organizational obstacles have restricted the full range of practice, and, as a consequence, there is a curtailment of the specialty amongst advanced practice nurses.

https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/stigma-in-healthcare-empowering-physicians-and-trainees-to-seek-help

https://mhanational.org/issues/2020/mental-health-america-access-care-data

Passion for caring influences my selection for MSN (Master of Science in Nursing) specialty as Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program, determining this choice has been a reflective process for me, consisting of research, deep thought, and deliberations, I had two options of either Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) or Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP). My nursing experience in long term care as an Alzheimer’s / Dementia Unit Manager, of dealing with dementia patients also influence my focus in acquiring more information to deliver mental health services, a psychiatric nurse and mental health practitioner can access, examine, diagnose, and treat patients with mental illness (Walden University 2021).

The difficulty I encountered before making this choice is not wanting to let go of my geriatric patients as the elderly represent an important vulnerable group that are exposed to chronic health conditions associated with progressed age and they also rely totally on healthcare services for survival (Szabo et al., 2020), having in mind that my geriatric patients are also included in the group of patients that are diagnosed with mental health issues, therefore my functioning as PMHNP will still allow me to be able to tender for this group of patients.

As a member of the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioner (NCCDP) I am   a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) which is one of the criteria to be met to practice in my field, I also wish to join the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) which represents psychiatric nurses and psychiatric nurse practitioners, the APNA is the largest professional membership organization committed to the care and treatment of persons with psychiatric disorders., on their website there is a link to become a member, it will be easy for me to be a member even as a student, the website listed annual membership fee to be paid at joining and annually subsequently. I strongly believe that I will join this organization as a student and when I am done with this program, this will help to build my professional network strength. Being a member of a nursing organization also helps in achieving my nursing education goals. “As with anything else, if you put effort into it, you will receive more out of it.” Quinn-Szcesuil, (2016).

Miatta, I sincerely enjoyed reading your discussion. You captivated my interest in your introduction regarding chronic illnesses, prolonged life, baby boomers and what the future holds for our profession. I have noticed that most students in our class are pursuing the psychiatric nurse practitioner route, and yourself. I cannot emphasize how amazing that is, and the mindset you bring to the table represents your compassion for mental health. I agree with your statement regarding mental health resources and how advocating for our patients can positively affect the community as a whole. I am sorry for your loss. I agree alcoholism is a mental disorder. Rather, most addictions are and require the same number of resources as any other mental health illness. The lack of treatment and resources hinders the patient, their loved ones, and society. Mental health providers are crucial in creating stepping stones to help those in need of mental health treatment. Some patients require guidance, others pharmacological therapies, and at times, some may be going through a crisis and require additional appropriate resources. As for resources, I feel that I could benefit from joining the American Psychiatric Nurses Association to provide up-to-date resources for my patients in the future. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and information with the class; I have enjoyed working with you in this class.