EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003

EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003
My first step when choosing a nursing specialty within the program was to know what I absolutely did not want to do within this profession. I Immediately knew that I was not interested in psychiatric nursing, pediatrics or maternity. Nursing education is a specialty that I am very interested in, but not at this time. I would love to be an adjunct faculty at a college or university once I have been a nurse for 15 years or greater. Having been a nurse for only 7 years, I believe that gaining more experience in the field will help me to become an even better instructor. Moreover, I realized that I was no longer interested in working in a hospital setting so the acute care nurse practitioner program also did not seem like a good fit for me. I chose the adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AG PCNP) program because I wanted to work with the older population and build long-term relationships with my patients. I also like the fact that this specialty’s scope of practice is based on patient needs rather than the setting itself (Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group, 2016).
Professional organizations seek to advance the profession and interests of its members. However, the cost of membership can be a deterrent for many nurses especially if a nurse wants to become a member of multiple organizations. Since membership to these organizations comes at a cost, it would behoove the nurse to take time choosing an organization to join. Choosing the right organization includes ensuring that membership in a particular organization is in line with personal and professional goals (Echevarria, 2018). As a future AG PCNP, I am interested in becoming a member of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). I believe that no matter the specialty, it is extremely important to build a solid foundation as I advance in the nursing profession in a new role. This organization provides flexibility with membership, offering six options for membership based on where you are in your career. For example, there is a student NP membership with an annual fee of $55. This membership is made specifically for the student nurse practitioner who does not have experience in the role. It provides opportunities for networking and free continuing education courses to facilitate career growth (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, n.d.). In order to apply for membership, simply click the link that says “Join AANP” and the user will be redirected to another page for which they will be given prompts to join. Licensing information is required and the annual fee is due at the time of registration (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, n.d.).
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References
Adult-Gerontology NP Competencies Work Group. (2016). Adult-gerontology acute care and primary care NP competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/NP_Adult_Geri_competencies_4.pdf

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American Association of Nurse Practitioners. N.d. Membership. Retrieved November 1, 2021 from https://www.aanp.org/membership
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.
I have chosen to focus on the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program. A lot of thought has gone into this decision. At first, I wanted to focus on the family nurse practitioner (FNP) route. However, after speaking with my student success advisor, she informed me that it sounded like the AGPCNP route was a better fit for me. I also completed the questionnaire on the Walden University website that helps determine which MSN specialization is right for you. The quiz identified that the AGPCNP program or the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program was best for me. Because I primarily would like to work with the adult population, I can focus my studies through the AGPCNP focus on this population. The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to guide the health and well-being of patients 13 years and older (Walden University, 2022)
I have gone back and forth on deciding which focus is best for me. I always thought obtaining my FNP would open many more opportunities. However, I know I do not have the desire to work with the pediatric population. I also started my nursing career in labor and delivery and am familiar with this population. However, it looks like focusing my studies on the AGPCNP specialization will allow me to work in Women’s Health if I desire. The AGPCNP focus will help me promote a more equitable system serving individuals with compassion and dignity (Walden University, 2022). The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to manage disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and restore care in adolescents and adults (Walden University, 2022). I will be prepared to deliver quality primary care services and make an impact on the patients and community I serve (Walden University, 2022).
There are many professional nursing organizations I could join that are affiliated with the AGPCNP focus, including the National Gerontological Nurses Association, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American College of Nurse Practitioner, to name a few. According to Echevarria (2018), nurses should join professional organizations that best fit their goals. The Gerontologic Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) represents the interests of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) caring for older adults (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA opens opportunities for APRNs in education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking, and improvements in evidence-based practice (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA provides educational resources and up-to-date information about the care of older adults; it also offers opportunities for networking (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). There are many membership benefits, including a subscription to the official Journal of GAPNA, quarterly newsletters, and access to legislative news (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership also includes discounts on renewal fees, study materials, the American Nursing Credentialing Center Certification, conferences, and professional memberships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership fees are $100 annually, and members can join online (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students, registered nurses, APRNs, and retired nurses may become members. Students in advanced practice courses receive all the same benefits as APRNs; however, they do not have voting privileges (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students may also benefit from grants and scholarships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022).
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EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35-38.
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. (2022). Membership: Gerontological advanced practice nurses association (GAPNA). Membership | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Retrieved October 24, 2022, from https://www.gapna.org/membership
Walden University. (2022). Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse practitioner (AGPCNP). Walden University. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-nurse-practitioner-adult-gerontology
I really enjoy reading your post. It is my belief that this is a wonderful time for experience RN to proceed with continuing education. After covid 19, the increased need for health care provider made many states open opportunities for APRN to work in a full scope of practice. The changes are temporary for many states but if a high possibility to extended post pandemic (Stucky et al., 2020). Walden university will provide knowledge and preparation to become and qualify professional and contribute to impact quality of care (Walden University, 2022).
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References:
Stucky, C. H., Brown, W. J., & Stucky, M. G. (2020). Covid 19: An unprecedented opportunity for nurse practitioners to reform healthcare and advocate for Permanent Full Practice Authority. Nursing Forum, 56(1), 222–227. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12515
Walden University. (2022). Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Walden University. Retrieved November 1, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner-v2
The route I have chosen as my nursing specialty in the MSN program is with a focus in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I had debated between PMHNP, FNP, and AGNPCNP. As I have mentioned I have worked in a rural emergency department that cares for quite a bit of mental health patients. The focus of my capstone project for my BSN was mental health patients in the ED and what we can do to improve staff education, patient education, and follow-up resources. Almost every project, research paper, and electives I had to do for my BSN revolved around mental healthcare. I did not have too much difficulty deciding my specialty. I followed what I am passionate about because I believe that passion is what drives us to do the best we can.
While I was debating the route I wanted to take, I spoke about my choices with my husband and my boss from the ED, both extremely encouraging and supportive of my choice. My boss was not surprised when I decided to apply for PMHNP programs, and he thought that would be a great fit for me given my passion to help fill the gap in access and advocate for mental health patients’ rights. As a PMHNP not only will I be able to treat my patients, but I can also join professional organizations that support what I believe in, equal access to mental healthcare. While attending Walden I realized there are many options for joining professional organizations and I have recently joined the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. According to Echavarria (2018) there are many professional nursing associations to choose from, and the cost is one reason that deters nurses from joining. But joining an organization that shares values and aligns best with your practice goals should be a deciding factor (Echavarria, 2018). It was not hard for me to decide to join this professional organization, I had researched this group and one of their goals is to advance care and treatment for psychiatric mental health patients and as a student I can join at an extremely discounted rate (APNA, 2022). One of the videos from our resources, The Walden Journey to a master’s in nursing: Final Thoughts (2018) talks about remembering our desire to for wanting to enroll in a master’s program and remembering that desire to make a difference in the specialty of our chosen field. That comment made me realize I know I am in the right specialty program. I know I want to focus on making a difference for psychiatric mental healthcare.
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References:
APNA. (2022). Membership in APNA. Retrieved October 30. 2022 from https://www.apna.org/membership/
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Walden University. (2018). The Walden Journey to a master’s in nursing: Final Thoughts. Baltimore (MD)
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RE: Discussion – Week 10
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I enjoyed your discussion post and think you have chosen an admirable path in advancing your nursing degree. Since the emergence of the pandemic, anxiety, depression, and substance use disorder are at an all-time high, with suicide, depression, and substance abuse levels in a state of crisis (Walden University, 2022). Rural communities have higher rates of substance abuse and mental health disorders (Summers-Gabr, 2020). Reasons for mental health disparities include limited access to care and availability of mental health providers (Summers-Gabr, 2020). Becoming a Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse Practitioner will help you in your goals of making an impact on the lives of those suffering from mental health disorders. You will improve access to mental health care and decrease mental health disparities in your community. I wish you the best in your future endeavors!
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References
Summers-Gabr, N. M. (2020). Rural–urban mental health disparities in the United States during COVID-19. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 12(S1), S222–S224. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000871
Walden University. (2022). MSN Psychiatric Mental-Health Nurse practitioner. Walden University. Retrieved October 31, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner-v2
I have chosen to focus on the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program. A lot of thought has gone into this decision. At first, I wanted to focus on the family nurse practitioner (FNP) route. However, after speaking with my student success advisor, she informed me that it sounded like the AGPCNP route was a better fit for me. I also completed the questionnaire on the Walden University website that helps determine which MSN specialization is right for you. The quiz identified that the AGPCNP program or the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program was best for me. Because I primarily would like to work with the adult population, I can focus my studies through the AGPCNP focus on this population. The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to guide the health and well-being of patients 13 years and older (Walden University, 2022)
I have gone back and forth on deciding which focus is best for me. I always thought obtaining my FNP would open many more opportunities. However, I know I do not have the desire to work with the pediatric population. I also started my nursing career in labor and delivery and am familiar with this population. However, it looks like focusing my studies on the AGPCNP specialization will allow me to work in Women’s Health if I desire. The AGPCNP focus will help me promote a more equitable system serving individuals with compassion and dignity (Walden University, 2022). The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to manage disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and restore care in adolescents and adults (Walden University, 2022). I will be prepared to deliver quality primary care services and make an impact on the patients and community I serve (Walden University, 2022).
There are many professional nursing organizations I could join that are affiliated with the AGPCNP focus, including the National Gerontological Nurses Association, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American College of Nurse Practitioner, to name a few. According to Echevarria (2018), nurses should join professional organizations that best fit their goals. The Gerontologic Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) represents the interests of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) caring for older adults (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA opens opportunities for APRNs in education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking, and improvements in evidence-based practice (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA provides educational resources and up-to-date information about the care of older adults; it also offers opportunities for networking (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). There are many membership benefits, including a subscription to the official Journal of GAPNA, quarterly newsletters, and access to legislative news (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership also includes discounts on renewal fees, study materials, the American Nursing Credentialing Center Certification, conferences, and professional memberships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership fees are $100 annually, and members can join online (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students, registered nurses, APRNs, and retired nurses may become members. Students in advanced practice courses receive all the same benefits as APRNs; however, they do not have voting privileges (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students may also benefit from grants and scholarships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022).
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35-38.
Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association. (2022). Membership: Gerontological advanced practice nurses association (GAPNA). Membership | Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA). Retrieved October 24, 2022, from https://www.gapna.org/membership
Walden University. (2022). Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse practitioner (AGPCNP). Walden University. Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-nurse-practitioner-adult-gerontology
The route I have chosen as my nursing specialty in the MSN program is with a focus in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. I had debated between PMHNP, FNP, and AGNPCNP. As I have mentioned I have worked in a rural emergency department that cares for quite a bit of mental health patients. The focus of my capstone project for my BSN was mental health patients in the ED and what we can do to improve staff education, patient education, and follow-up resources. Almost every project, research paper, and electives I had to do for my BSN revolved around mental healthcare. I did not have too much difficulty deciding my specialty. I followed what I am passionate about because I believe that passion is what drives us to do the best we can.
While I was debating the route I wanted to take, I spoke about my choices with my husband and my boss from the ED, both extremely encouraging and supportive of my choice. My boss was not surprised when I decided to apply for PMHNP programs, and he thought that would be a great fit for me given my passion to help fill the gap in access and advocate for mental health patients’ rights. As a PMHNP not only will I be able to treat my patients, but I can also join professional organizations that support what I believe in, equal access to mental healthcare. While attending Walden I realized there are many options for joining professional organizations and I have recently joined the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. According to Echavarria (2018) there are many professional nursing associations to choose from, and the cost is one reason that deters nurses from joining. But joining an organization that shares values and aligns best with your practice goals should be a deciding factor (Echavarria, 2018). It was not hard for me to decide to join this professional organization, I had researched this group and one of their goals is to advance care and treatment for psychiatric mental health patients and as a student I can join at an extremely discounted rate (APNA, 2022). One of the videos from our resources, The Walden Journey to a master’s in nursing: Final Thoughts (2018) talks about remembering our desire to for wanting to enroll in a master’s program and remembering that desire to make a difference in the specialty of our chosen field. That comment made me realize I know I am in the right specialty program. I know I want to focus on making a difference for psychiatric mental healthcare.
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References:
APNA. (2022). Membership in APNA. Retrieved October 30. 2022 from https://www.apna.org/membership/
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Walden University. (2018). The Walden Journey to a master’s in nursing: Final Thoughts. Baltimore (MD)
I have chosen to pursue a degree in the MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program here at Walden University. For me the decision was easy, honestly. I am actually a transfer student here at Walden University and had started a FNP program several years ago at a local university in my state. Well life happened and I ultimately took a 4 year long break after I was about a third of the way done with their program. I was able to transfer a lot of credits to Walden University in their MSN-FNP program. I will be beginning my clinicals for the FNP program at Walden in the spring term. I am taking this transition course as a requirement Walden has for navigating their programs. I have known that I have wanted to be an FNP since I became a nurse. As a bedside RN I am always seeking autonomy and critically thinking. I enjoy interpreting labs and diagnostics and “putting the pieces together” to understand diagnoses. I work in the ER and I find myself thinking of differential diagnoses immediately after triaging someone. I enjoy this part of care. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2012) states that “Nurse Practitioner graduates have knowledge, skills, and abilities that are essential to independent clinical practice” (para.3). They discuss how nurse practitioners have an advanced knowledge of the healthcare system. I want to continue to grow as a nurse and build on my knowledge. Cherry et al. (2019) discuss how one important component to professional development is the commitment to lifelong learning. Becoming a family nurse practitioner would be a lifelong commitment to continuous education and clinical practice. This is something that I am dedicated to do.
An organization I would like to apart of as a FNP would be the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. I would like to join this group because they are recognized nationally and offer many benefits with their members. The AANP offers different conferences, events, CE credits, clinical references, and clinical tools to its members (AANP, n.d). To become a member, one must be a licensed NP or a student in a NP program. To become a member as a student you must enter your demographic information, your program and school, and pay a 55$ annual fee. The student fee is discounted compared to the normal fee. Then you can have access to all the benefits. The AANP (n.d) states that “Being a part of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP) is more than just a membership — it’s a real opportunity to make a measurable difference in the strength of your profession and the health of this country” (para.1).
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). (n.d). AANP Member Benefits. Retrieved from https://www.aanp.org/membership/member– benefits
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the Power of Board Leadership in Professional Nursing Organizations. Journal of Nursing Administration, 49, 517-519. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805
The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties. (2012). Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies. https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/competencies/npcorecompetenciesfinal2012.pdf
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).
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/.
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.
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
Your discussion post was very relatable for me because we share the same background. You specialize as a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) nurse for 14 years, I share a similar background having specialized in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) for almost 15 years. At some point in my ICU career, I also floated a lot in the NICU when I was a travel nurse. These areas of nursing are highly specialized and very challenging but provides a lot of fulfillment specially in working with the parents of the children toward their recovery. The career journey in nursing never ends and keeping a plan in mind and persevering to push forward will help us to be successful (Laureate Education, 2018). Completing more than a decade of experience speaks a lot about your dedication for your chosen field of specialty.
As you mentioned, one aspect of being a senior nurse is the task of being a mentor, role model, and leader for new nurses. I share the same passion in teaching, that is why I eventually chose to be a nurse educator. Echevarria (2018) said that membership in a nursing organization provides a lot of opportunities for professional growth by engaging in educational opportunities that will enrich our knowledge and experience. My membership with different organizations did not only help me complete my continuing education requirements for license renewal, it also provided me with relevant knowledge of best practices that I implemented in my practice.
You mentioned that you became a member of the mentorship program in your unit and you developed standardized orientation pathways. This is a great tool to make learning more consistent. Was this something that you originally conceptualized or was it based from a similar model that you adapted? Thank you for sharing your great thoughts about how your profession evolved, it is very inspiring.
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES NURS 6003 Reference:
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48(12), 35–38.
Laureate Education (Producer). (2018). The Walden Journey to a Masters in Nursing: Final Thoughts [Video file]. Baltimore, MD: Author
I agree with your post that the field of healthcare continuously changes. Provision of quality care remains a priority thus acts as a drive to the many changes. The nursing profession is the central platform of all the changes and implementations in healthcare institutions to improve the quality of services for the patients (Boehm et al., 2019: Kristensen et al., 2015). According to Price & Reichert (2017), the primary responsibility of nurses requires them to continue advancing their skills and knowledge in the field. Choosing to specialize in psychiatric nursing is challenging as it involves dealing with unstable-minded people and people who cannot express themselves without the help of others. Additionally, it is a specialization that needs a dedicated and willing person. With your undergraduate degree and experience in the psychiatry unit, blending into your profession will be easier. Joining professional bodies enables a nurse to employ their skills and knowledge to better their practice. For example, the American Psychiatric Association helps nurses uphold and improve values such as integrity and transparency (American Nurses Association, 2016).
When looking into my future, taking a specialty program here would be imperative to that future goal. Choosing a specialty within the MSN program would help me get my dream career as a Family Nurse Practitioner and positively help me with my academic and professional goals. By furthering my education, I’ll be directly set to further my profession. Due to my desire to be able to treat patients, from infants to the elderly, of all genders and races, I decided to become an FNP. By taking these courses, I will have many more knowledge and opportunities in the coming future.
One of the top Nursing organizations that could help me become an FNP is the American Nurses Association. The American Nurses Association (AANP) is the largest Professional Nurse Practitioner Association/Organization. The AANP can provide the necessary resources to continue my education and advance my career. Being part of this organization helps me achieve my professional and personal goals. In addition, belonging to a nursing organization specific to one’s specialty can be essential in addressing challenges within that specialty.
References
AANP: The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://www.aanp.org/
Master of science in nursing (MSN). Walden University. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing#specializations
MSN Family Nurse practitioner. Walden University. (2021, March 24). Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-nurse-practitioner-family
Top professional nurse practitioner organizations and Associations. TOP Professional Nurse Practitioner Organizations & Associations. (n.d.). Retrieved February 19, 2023, from https://www.nursingprocess.org/nurse-practitioner-organizations-associations.html

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