NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

Chamberlain University NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing-Step-By-Step Guide

This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Chamberlain University NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing  assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.

How to Research and Prepare for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing                  

Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Chamberlain University NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing  depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.

After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.

How to Write the Introduction for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing                  

The introduction for the Chamberlain University NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.

How to Write the Body for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing                  

After the introduction, move into the main part of the NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing  assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.

Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.

How to Write the Conclusion for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing                  

After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.

How to Format the References List for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing                  

The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.

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Sample Answer for NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing Included After Question

The Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice paper is worth 150 points and will be graded on quality of information, use of citations, use of Standard English grammar, sentence structure, and overall organization based on the required components as summarized in the directions and grading criteria/rubric.

Submit your manuscript as a Microsoft Word Document, which is the required format at Chamberlain University. You are encouraged to use APA Academic Writer and Grammarly when creating your assignment.

Follow the directions and grading criteria closely. Any questions about this paper may be posted under the Q & A Forum or emailed to your faculty.

The length of the paper is to be 3-6 pages, excluding title page and reference pages. Support ideas with a minimum of 2 scholarly resources. Scholarly resources do not include your textbook. You may need to use more than 2 scholarly resources to fully support your ideas. You may use first person voice when describing your rationale for choosing the CNP role and your plans for clinical practice.

APA (2010) format is required with both a title page and reference page. Use the required components of the review as Level 1 headers (upper and lower case, bold, centered):

• Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing (introduction)
• Four APN Roles
• Rationale for Choosing CNP Role
• Plans for Clinical Practice
• Role Transition
• Conclusion

Preparing the paper:

The following are best practices for preparing this paper:

• Review Chapter 1: Introduction to the Role of Advanced Practice Nursing in DeNisco and Barker (2015).
• Review DeNisco and Barker (2015) Chapter 30: Introduction, Transitioning Roles, and Strategies for a
• Successful Transition sections
• Introduce the topic of the paper. Describe what you will be covering.
• Explore the four APN roles (CNP, CNS, CRNA & CNM). Describe each role, educational preparation, and work environment. Provide support from at least one scholarly source.
• Describe your rationale for choosing the CNP advanced practice role versus one of the other roles.
• Discuss your plans for clinical practice after graduation. How has your idea of NP practice changed after
• researching these roles?
• Review DeNisco and Barker (2015) Chapter 30: Introduction, Transitioning Roles, and Strategies for a Successful Transition sections addressing the transition from the registered nurse (RN) to the nurse
• practitioner (NP) role, describe two factors that may impact your transition. Discuss two strategies you will use to support a successful transition from the RN to your NP role. Provide reference support from at least two scholarly sources. The textbook is not a scholarly source.
• Provide a conclusion, including a brief summary of what you discussed in the paper.

A Sample Answer For the Assignment: NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

Title: NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are nurses with advanced training and certification, usually a master’s degree or a DNP. They provide patient care with more autonomy than registered nurses (RNs) and have more responsibility, including assessing patients, diagnosing, and prescribing treatments (Schober et al., 2020). Although the transition to APN is exciting for RNs, they often face various challenges due to the expansion in the scope of practice and increased responsibilities. Thus, identifying a mentor will be crucial for a smooth transition to the APN role. The purpose of this paper NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing is to discuss APN roles, explain the reason for choosing the nurse practitioner role, and describe the RN to APN transition.  

Four APN Roles

The four APN certifications and roles include certified nurse practitioner (CNP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA), and certified nurse midwife. This section will discuss in depth the role, educational preparation, and work environment of each APN certification.

CNP

CNPs are autonomous clinicians mandated to diagnose and manage conditions founded on evidence-based guidelines. Although they work autonomously, they collaborate with other healthcare providers. They apply nursing principles that center on treating the patient as a whole individual instead of only the condition. The roles of NPs include carrying out comprehensive assessments and employing diagnostics reasoning to identify patients’ health needs and diagnoses (Schober et al., 2020). CNPs prescribe pharmacological and non-pharmacologic treatments, refer patients, and provide health education and counseling on health promotion, disease prevention, and health restoration. They initiate and engage in activities that foster safety in care, community partnership, and improved population health (Ko et al., 2019). CNPs must be holders of a master’s or doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree, and one must have a valid RN before enrolling in an NP program. CNPs practice in various settings, including general hospitals, private practices, medical centers, and physician offices.

CNS

CNSs are expert clinicians obligated to provide clinical care in specialized areas of nursing practice to patients and families, including diagnosis and treatment of diseases. They lead and support nurses in providing scientifically-based, evidence-based care, influencing outcomes in nursing practice. CNSs have an indirect role in executing improvements in the healthcare delivery system and implementing high-quality evidence into clinical practice to enhance clinical outcomes (Schober et al., 2020). Furthermore, CNSs are tasked with researching to generate knowledge that guides practice. Educational requirements for a CNS include a master’s or DNP degree in a CNS program from a recognized institution. A BSN degree and active RN license are a requirement for a CNS education program. CNSs work in general hospitals, physician offices, medical centers, and private practices.

CRNA

CRNAs plan and administer anesthesia, pain management, and associated care to patients with a wide range of health conditions across. They provide anesthesia-related care for diagnostic, surgical, and therapeutic procedures in specialties. CNSs also prescribe and administer post-anesthetic medications, conduct post-anesthesia assessments, provide advanced pain management, and provide patient education on recovery (Tamura et al., 2021). Furthermore, CRNAs take other roles as clinicians, leaders, educators, researchers, patient advocates, and administrators. CRNAs must have graduate training in anesthesia and must be licensed RNs. CRNAs practice in Hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, pain clinics, critical access hospitals, and offices of dentists, ophthalmologists, and plastic surgeons

CNM

            CNMs provide lifelong gynecological and reproductive healthcare services to women in preconception, pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum, and through to menopause. They monitor maternal health and fetal growth during the prenatal period and manage pregnancy-related conditions. They carry out low-intervention techniques during childbirth to induce labor and alleviate pain (Schober et al., 2020). In addition, they conduct physical exams, order and interpret lab results, develop treatment plans for patients, and prescribe treatment. They also provide health education on family planning and breastfeeding. CNMs must have at least a master’s degree from a recognized degree program and be licensed RN. They practice in hospitals, physicians’ offices, community healthcare clinics, outpatient care centers, and private birth centers.

The Rationale for Choosing CNP Role

The CNP was my APN role of choice because NPs practice autonomously. I chose to pursue a CNP program because I will be trained to integrate clinical skills in nursing and medicine to assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for patients in primary healthcare settings. Besides, I chose CNP because NPs are considered primary care providers (PCPs), and I will thus be providing care to patients with acute and chronic conditions. CNPs, as PCPs, are in high demand due to the shortage of physicians, which makes this role more attractive due to high job opportunities (Ko et al., 2019). The CNP role was preferred over the CNS role because NPs work generically in various practices and settings, while CNSs are limited within a specialist field of practice. NPs are autonomous and take full clinical responsibility for managing patients, whereas CNSs often share clinical responsibility with other health professionals (Ko et al., 2019). Furthermore, NPs in most states have prescribing authority, while CNSs have a limited level of prescribing authority. As a CNP, I will work with a diverse patient population, whereas a CNS will be defined by the practice populations like cardiology or oncology.

Plans for Clinical Practice

After graduating from the NP program, I plan to continue working in my current organization (a general

hospital) but at a higher level of practice. I plan to work in the current hospital because it has an orientation program for new-graduate NPs where experienced NPs guide them in the role transition. I will request to be allocated to the inpatient unit, where I will work with other healthcare professionals in managing patients with complex conditions. I believe this will adequately prepare me to independently assess, diagnose, and prescribe treatments in the outpatient setting. I will also ensure that I am a healthcare team member since I will learn more about treatment interventions for various conditions from specialists and contribute to patients’ management.

I have gained more insight from the research on ANP roles since I have learned that a CNP is answerable and responsible for advanced levels of clinical decision-making. I have also realized that CNPs are unique since they provide direct care to patients with undiagnosed conditions and continuous care for patients with established diseases (Ko et al., 2019). Thus, I will be expected to work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals to optimize patient outcomes.

Role Transition

The transition from RN to NP will come with many changes since my responsibilities will significantly increase as my scope of practice expands. Unlike when I was an RN, I will be required to take full responsibility for patient management and will be accountable for the clinical interventions I make. Factors that might impact my transition include the NP orientation program in our organization and my vast RN experience. The orientation program will assist me in navigating elements of the NP role that may not have been articulated in the NP program (Murphy & Mortimore, 2020). I will be assigned a preceptor to supervise me and provide feedback to ensure I am in line with my expected output. My vast RN experience makes me understand the difference between the RN and NP scope of practice. Thus, I will not have challenges in identifying my roles concerning patient care and implementing them.

The approaches I will take to promote a successful role transition include finding a mentor. I will identify a mentor who has experienced the role transition to give personal insight into the details of the new NP role (Murphy & Mortimore, 2020). Although I have vast RN experience, I will set practical expectations and anticipate facing a transition back to a novice APN despite years of being an expert RN. I plan to embrace new knowledge from other providers and embrace challenges when learning.

 Conclusion

APNs have expanded roles and responsibilities in assessing and managing patients owing to their advanced training. A master’s degree and RN license are prerequisites for any APN master’s degree program. CNPs practice autonomously and are PCPs since they assess, diagnose, order tests, and prepare treatment plans. The NP orientation program will impact my transition to an NP in our organization as well as my RN experience. However, I plan to find a mentor and set practical expectations when transitioning.

References

Ko, A., Burson, R., & Mianecki, T. (2019). Advanced nursing practice roles: closing the knowledge gap. Nursing Management, 50(3), 26-36. doi: 10.1097/01.NUMA.0000553494.24977.2d

Murphy, K., & Mortimore, G. (2020). Overcoming the challenges of role transition for trainee advanced clinical practitioners. Gastrointestinal Nursing, 18(5), 35–41. doi:10.12968/gasn.2020.18.5.35

Schober, M., Lehwaldt, D., Rogers, M., Steinke, M., Turale, S., Pulcini, J., … & Stewart, D. (2020). Guidelines on advanced practice nursing.

Tamura, T., Sakai, T., Henker, R., & O’Donnell, J. M. (2021). Certified registered nurse anesthetist and anesthesiologist assistant education programs in the United States. Nagoya Journal of Medical Science, 83(3), 609–626. https://doi.org/10.18999/nagjms.83.3.609

(No Running head needed per 7^th edition for student papers)

All pages must have a page number as on the template.

Title of Paper

Student Name

Chamberlain University: Nurse Practitioner Track

NR00NP Foundational Concepts and Advanced Practice Roles

Instructor

Date (e.g. July 1, 2022)

Do not change font size. Font size stays the same throughout the APA paper

Double space only throughout the entire APA paper, including references

Visit the writing center for help with your paper. Can locate in course resources as well:

https://mychamberlain.sharepoint.com/sites/StudentResourceCenter/WC

Title of Paper

(Centered and Bolded – should be the same as title on page 1 – title page)

Four APN Roles

(Level 1 Heading: Centered, Bold, Title Case Heading)

Discuss in detail the four APN roles (CNP, CNS, CRNA & CNM). Use at least one scholarly source and include an intext citation for that source.  Paraphrase the content you are using from your resource and cite correctly. Include a description, the education preparedness and work environment of each role.

CNP (Level 2 heading: Flush left, Bold, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading, no other punctuation)

Start paragraph under heading and indented. Description, educational preparedness, and work environment

CNS (Level 2 heading: Flush left, Bold, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

CRNA (Level 2 heading: Flush left, Bold, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

CNM (Level 2 heading: Flush left, Bold, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

Rationale for Choosing CNP Role (Level 1 Heading)

Discuss in detail your rationale for choosing the CNP advanced practice role versus one of the other roles.

Plans for Clinical Practice (Level 1 Heading)

Discuss in detail your plans for clinical practice after graduation.  Explain how your understanding of NP practice has changed after researching the four ANP roles.

Role Transition (Level 1 Heading)

Discuss your transition from the RN role to the NP role.  Describe two factors that may impact your transition.  Discuss two strategies you will use to support a successful transition from the RN to NP role.  Provide reference support from at least one scholarly source.  The textbook is not a scholarly source.

NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing Conclusion (Level 1 Heading)

Provide a conclusion, including a brief summary of what you discussed in the paper.  Do not introduce new information into your conclusion paper. A good rule of thumb is to have a sentence for each main idea/criteria you discussed in the paper.

  NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing References

Please make sure you to review the 7^th edition APA book to cite your references here. Please note: you do not list a reference unless you cited the reference in your paper.

References are double spaced. References have a hanging indent and are in alphabetical order.

NR 500 WEEK 2: Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing Resource:

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/apa_style/apa_formatting_and_style_guide/reference_list_basic_rules.html

Roles in Advanced Nursing Practice

The four categories of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) include Certified Nurse Practitioners (CNPs), Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), and Certified Nurse Midwives (CNMs). APRNs are mostly primary care providers and are usually at the forefront of offering preventive care services to the general population (Urbanowicz, 2019). They treat and diagnose health conditions, manage chronic illnesses, educate the public on health issues, and take part in continuous education to remain up-to-date with advancements in healthcare. This paper describes the APRN roles and discusses my chosen APRN role, plans for clinical practice, and role transition.

APN Roles

The four APRN practice specialties are CNP, CNS, CRNA, and CNM. The roles of CNPs include: Assessing and diagnosing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, developing treatment plans, prescribing and administering pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, providing patient education, and keeping patient health records (Parker & Hill, 2017). A CNP is a master or DNP-prepared nurse. A Bachelor’s degree in Nursing (BSN) is required before enrolling in an NP program. NPs work in hospitals, medical centers, doctors’ offices, and private practice and are certified to work with certain populations based on the sub-specialty.

CNSs drive practice changes in their care settings and ensure the implementation of best practices and evidence-based care to attain the best possible patient outcomes. CNSs take part in: Diagnosing patients, developing patient treatment plans, ordering and interpreting tests, guiding other nurses, providing nursing leadership, and researching and executing new patient care policies (Fukuda et al., 2020). The education requirements for a CNS include at least a master’s in nursing, and BSN is a prerequisite for a CNS program. CNS work in hospitals, large health systems, and private practice.

CRNAs assess patients and their medical history to determine the suitable course of anesthesia, make plans for anesthesia delivery, and administer anesthesia. CRNs also monitor patients during and after anesthesia and conduct additional treatments, including epidurals (Boyd, 2017). They educate patients and their families about anesthesia and its effects and respond to emergencies. The educational requirements include a minimum of an MSN, and a BSN is required to join a CRNA program. CRNAs work in hospitals and medical centers.

CNMs are tasked with providing primary, gynecological, and reproductive health care services. The roles of CNMs include:  Educating clients on pregnancy, breastfeeding, and infant care topics, testing for STDs, providing care and administering pain medication in the intrapartum period, providing postpartum care, and providing primary care to women (Parker & Hill, 2017). An MSN is the minimum educational requirement to become a CNM, and a BSN or bridged ADN is required to enroll in a CNM program. CNMs practice in hospitals, medical centers, birthing centers, and private practice.

The Rationale for Choosing CNP Role

I chose the NP role because NPs play a vital role in the health care landscape by offering wellness guidance and crucial care services to patients. NPs are valuable in managing patient caseloads at clinics, hospitals, and medical practices, since they work along with physicians and specialists in providing patient care (Parker & Hill, 2017). Besides, the role of NPs is increasingly becoming essential since many individuals struggle to access care resources in some areas, especially rural and remote areas. NPs have greater autonomy, career growth, and personal satisfaction since they are not limited to the bedside (Parker & Hill, 2017). I also chose the CNP because of its high job prospects. With the anticipated shortage of primary care physicians, NPs are in high demand to close the gap and provide primary care to patients with increased healthcare needs (Parker & Hill, 2017). Besides, there will be an increased need for healthcare with the aging population, especially among patients with chronic illnesses. As a result, NPs will be in high demand to help meet the population’s healthcare needs.

The CRNA role was not a career path of choice because CRNAs have a narrow range of care than NPs. Unlike NPs who can establish their private practice, CRNAs are limited to hospitals and medical centers since they do not offer assessment, diagnosis, and treatment services (Boyd, 2017). Besides, CRNAs have lower job prospects than NPs since their practice settings are limited to settings where anesthesia is delivered. For instance, the expected job growth of NPs is 36% from 2016 to 2026, which is higher than the average for all professions (Parker & Hill, 2017). On the other hand, CRNA has an expected job growth of 16% from 2016 to 2026.

Plans for Clinical Practice

After graduating from the NP program, the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty is my plan for clinical practice. As an FNP, I will be tasked with providing primary care services to patients across the lifespan ranging from infants to older adults. My roles will include conducting well exams, performing physical exams, screening for disease symptoms, prescribing treatments, and ordering tests to enhance patients’ overall well-being (Parker & Hill, 2017).  In addition, I will take part in promoting healthy nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle habits through patient education.  I will also communicate with families, coordinate with patients’ caregivers, and refer patients with complex conditions to specialists.

From the research on FNP roles, I have learned that NPs stand out from other APRNs by viewing a patient’s health and well-being from a holistic perspective. One of NPs’ main roles in the healthcare field is to address the shortage of physicians and reduce healthcare costs.  NPs thus have a crucial role in helping to solve the increasing primary care shortage, reducing healthcare costs, and improving patient satisfaction (Parker & Hill, 2017). I have also learned, that NPs unlike other APRN roles, can specialize in several areas, including neonatal nursing, pediatrics, adult-gerontology acute care, adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric mental health, women’s health, and family nursing (Parker & Hill, 2017). Furthermore, I have learned that NPs’ scope of work differs based on their area of specialization, the patient population they manage, and the state of practice.

Role Transition

As I transit from the RN to NP role, I expect to enjoy increased career autonomy and a wider range of clinical responsibilities from my scope. My new scope of practice will allow me to carry out clinical duties beyond the RN scope of practice. For instance, I will have the autonomy to evaluate and diagnose patients, order and interpret diagnostic tests, initiate and manage treatment plans, and prescribe medications (Urbanowicz, 2019). I will provide these services to individuals across the lifespan, including healthy and sick clients, to promote better health outcomes

Factors that may impact the transition to the NP role include my previous experience as an RN and a supportive work environment. As an RN, I worked alongside physicians and specialists, where I gained immense knowledge and skills on taking history, conducting physical exams, making differential diagnoses, and developing treatment plans. The knowledge and skills a nurse acquires as an RN create a firm foundation that helps the new NP carry out the new clinical duties (Urbanowicz, 2019). Besides, having a supportive work environment with experienced NPs that I can consult will significantly help in the transition process (Urbanowicz, 2019). A supportive environment helps to promote a sense of self-confidence, competence, and satisfaction.

Strategies that will support a successful transition include getting a mentor to guide me through the role transition. The mentor will be an experienced FNP and will provide formal orientation to my new NP roles. Mentorship is essential for a successful transition from RN to NP (Mounayar & Cox, 2020). Besides, I will ask for a formal orientation in my first FNP job, which will support me during the transitional period (Mounayar & Cox, 2020). During the orientation, I will set weekly objectives and request that my supervisor assesses and offers feedback on my achievement and progression.

Conclusion

APRNs are primary care providers and provide preventive, curative, and rehabilitative care services to patients. CNPs provide primary, acute, and specialty health care services across the lifespan through assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of illnesses and injuries. CNSs provide diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing treatment services to patients and offer expertise and support to nurses caring for patients. CNMs manage patients from the early postnatal period through labor and delivery and provide postpartum care. CRNAs provide a wide range of anesthesia and pain management services. I chose the NP path because I will help increase access to primary care and improve health outcomes in the population. A successful role transition is crucial for an NP to become an efficient and effective primary care provider. A successful transition can be promoted by a strong foundation created in the previous RN experience and a supportive work environment.

References

Boyd, D. (2017). Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Working Conditions and Outcomes: A Review of the Literature. AANA Journal, 85(4).

Fukuda, T., Sakurai, H., & Kashiwagi, M. (2020). Impact of having a certified nurse specialist in critical care nursing as head nurse on ICU patient outcomes. PloS one, 15(2), e0228458. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0228458

Mounayar, J., & Cox, M. (2020). Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Residency Program: Best Practice. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.10.023

Parker, J. M., & Hill, M. N. (2017). A review of advanced practice nursing in the United States, Canada, Australia, and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), China. International journal of nursing sciences, 4(2), 196–204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnss.2017.01.002

Urbanowicz, J. (2019). APRN transition to practice: Program development tips. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(12), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000605520.88939.d1

When discussing differentiating factors of a master’s-prepared nurse compared to that of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse, the most obvious difference is the level of formal education. However, the most important difference between these two nurses are evident within their practice, which sets them apart in the clinical field. Master’s-prepared nurses often practice as a nurse practitioner, where they practice with a higher level of autonomy than those with a baccalaureate degree (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 328). Nurse practitioners are required to have at least a master’s degree to “assess and manage patients with undifferentiated and undiagnosed problems†in their routine practice (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 328). The master’s degree of nursing programs reflects mastery of higher level of critical thinking than at the baccalaureate level, as well as the understanding of complete, holistic care (AACN, 2011, p. 7). Therefore, master’s-degree nurses are shown to not only have more formal education, but also a more expansive clinical skill set, more critical thinking skills, and the legal capability to diagnose and treat patients as providers, compared to that of a baccalaureate-prepared nurse.

There is a significant amount of literature supporting the value of a master’s degree in nursing. A common theme amongst this literature discusses improved delivery of care and patient outcomes with increased involvement of master’s-prepared nurses in the health care system (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 333). The evidence also suggests that master’s-prepared nurses positively influence nursing practice due to the higher level of critical thinking, leadership expertise, and leadership skills from the master’s-prepared nurses (Clark, et al., 2015, p. 333). Every nurse’s goal is to improve patient outcomes and delivery of care in the healthcare system, and this evidence suggests that master’s-prepared nurses are top performers amongst their nurse colleagues in these categories.
According to a concept analysis study, nurse competencies can be categorized into three different theories including behaviorism, trait theory, and holism (Fukada, 2018). Behaviorism includes performance of individual core skills, trait theory considers the competencies required to complete specific tasks, such as critical thinking skills, and holism views competency as a cluster of elements (Fukada, 2018). I believe that holism is the most essential professional competency for a master’s-prepared nurse practicing in the twenty-first century. Furthermore, holism requires applying skills, attitudes, knowledge and critical thinking to unique situations (Fakuda, 2018). I believe that holism is the most essential competency because approaching patient situations with a holistic perspective is what makes nurses unique amongst other providers in the interdisciplinary team. Nurses are specially trained to look at the patient as a whole human, not just for his or her medical diagnoses.

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2011). The essentials of master’s education in nursing. https://www.aacnnursing.org/Portals/42/Publications/MastersEssentials11.pdfLinks to an external site.

Clark, L., Casey, D., & Morris, S. (2015). The value of master’s degrees for registered nursesLinks to an external siteLinks to an external site.. British Journal of Nursing, 24(6), 328-334. https://doi-org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.12968/bjon.2015.24.6.328Links to an external site.

Fukada M. (2018). Nursing Competency: Definition, Structure and Development. Yonago acta medica, 61(1), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.33160/yam.2018.03.001

Four APN Roles

The four APN roles include Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). This section will discuss each APN role, including the educational preparation and work environment.

CNP

The CNP roles include diagnosing and managing health conditions guided by evidence-based guidelines that encompass nursing principles that center on treating an individual as a whole instead of only the condition. The scope of CNP practice requires CNPs to take full clinical responsibility in managing their patient population, including conducting comprehensive health assessments, ordering, and interpreting investigations to make diagnoses (Schober et al., 2020). In addition, CNPs initiate and evaluate patients’ treatment plans and have the authority to refer and admit patients. They offer direct care to un-diagnosed patients through health education and engage in education, clinical leadership, and research. However, the degree of practice autonomy and accountability of CNPs is determined by the context and the state’s regulatory policies in which the NP practices. CNPs in states with Full practice autonomy are allowed to practice to the full scope of the NP practice, while states with restricted practice require CNPs to collaborate with a physician. The minimum educational requirements for a CNP are a master’s nursing degree from an accredited program specific to the CNP (Schober et al., 2020). Nevertheless, there is a trend for a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree as the entry-level for CNP preparation. CNPs work in primary health care settings, including hospitals, physician offices, private practices, and acute care settings.

CNS

A CNS is an expert clinician with advanced nursing knowledge and skills who offer direct clinical care in a specialized nursing practice area. CNSs have direct and indirect care roles. Direct care entails direct interaction with patients, families, and communities to promote health and well-being and enhance the quality of life (Ares, 2018). Direct care roles include a comprehensive assessment of patients, diagnosing diseases, and prescribing or ordering therapeutic interventions. Indirect care roles include translating the best research evidence into clinical practice to enhance clinical outcomes. They also act as consultants to other nurses and health providers in managing complex patient cases (Ares, 2018). The education preparations for a CNS include a graduate program, master’s or doctoral degree for a CNS program from an accredited institution. The work environment for CNSs includes patient care setting such as clinics, hospitals, physician offices, private practice, nursing homes, schools, and correctional facilities.

CRNA

CRNA roles include administering anesthesia and monitoring patients on anesthesia.

CRNAs collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and dentists in administering anesthesia. They administer anesthetics to patients in every practice setting in procedures or surgery (Martens et al., 2018). CRNAs are highly autonomous and qualified to make independent decisions. CRNA educational requirements include a minimum of a master’s degree from a CRNA education program (Martens et al., 2018). The program should be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). CRNAs work in every patient care setting in which anesthesia is administered, including hospital Ors, obstetric delivery rooms, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers.

CNM

CNMs provide reproductive health care to women across the lifespan. The CNM focuses on family planning and gynecologic service, care of women during preconception, antepartum, childbirth and the postpartum period, and newborn care (Schober et al., 2020). CNMs offer primary care services, including annual exams, disease prevention, health promotion, individualized wellness education, counseling, and initiating treatment plans. Educational preparation for CNMs includes a graduate or post-graduate degree program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (Schober et al., 2020). The entry requirement into a CNM program includes an RN license with a bachelor’s in nursing degree. CNMs practice in general hospitals, private practices, birthing centers, and public health clinics.

The rationale for Choosing CNP Role

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is my preferred CNP role. PMHNP roles include conducting patient assessments, diagnosing mental health and psychiatric conditions, and developing and initiating treatment plans. PMHNPs offer psychotherapy and prescribe pharmacotherapy interventions for mental health and substance abuse disorders (Chapman et al., 2019). PMHNP is preferred over Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) because the former is more specific in its roles while the latter is not specific in practice since FNPs serve patients across the lifespan. Mental health is an area of growing concern nationally and globally and is increasingly prioritized by governments. There is a growing need for mental health practitioners to address the concern, and thus, PMHNPs have a higher demand in the market than FNPs (Chapman et al., 2019). Statistics show that 65.40% of NPs are in FNP practice, while 1.80% are in PMHNP. Thus, PMHNP was selected since the job market is not saturated and there are higher chances of getting jobs with more attractive salaries.

Plans for Clinical Practice

Upon graduation, I plan to work in a mental health facility, providing psychiatric and mental health care to patients. I plan to work in an organization that recognizes the PMHNP scope of practice. As a result, I will carry out duties including assessing patients, diagnosing based on the DSM-V criteria, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, treatment, counseling, and providing health education (Chapman et al., 2019). The research on APN roles has increased my understanding of the difference between a CNP and a CNS. For instance, I have learned that           CNSs provide direct and indirect care while CNPs mostly provide direct clinical care. Besides, CNSs practice within a specialist field, while CNPs work in several fields of practice and settings.

Role Transition (Level 1 Heading)

The transition from RN to APN role means that my scope of practice will expand, and there will be more clinical responsibilities. I will be translating from an expert RN to a novice PMHNP, a noteworthy career role transition. Factors that may impact my role transition include previous RN experience and the working environment (Urbanowicz, 2019). I have a long RN working experience in a mental health care practice, which created the interest in pursuing a PMHNP program. The experience will positively impact the role transition since I will apply the knowledge, skills, and experience gained throughout the years in my new NP role. The working environment will positively or negatively impact the transition process. A supportive working environment with mentorship and coaching opportunities will positively impact transition (Urbanowicz, 2019). On the other hand, an environment that does not support new APNs through mentorship and positive supervision will negatively impact role transition.

Strategies to foster a successful RN to NP transition include enrolling in an APN mentorship program and setting realistic personal goals and expectations. A mentorship program will include having a mentor, mostly an experienced PMHNP, who will guide me in the new role and improve my weaknesses (Moss & Jackson, 2019). Setting realistic personal goals and expectations will include having short-term goals that will help transition to a proficient PMHNP. Besides, it will help prevent the anxiety that comes with the new responsibilities.

Conclusion

APNs have advanced nursing knowledge and skills and provide specialized care and manage complex patient cases. They work autonomously or in collaboration with other professionals based on state regulations. APNs work in primary healthcare settings, and their roles include assessing, diagnosing, ordering tests, and initiating treatment. PMHNP is my preferred role due to the high demand for mental health practitioners. Factors that will impact my role transition include previous RN experience and the working environment. The transition can be fostered through a mentorship program and setting realistic personal goals and expectations.

References

Ares, T. L. (2018). Role transition after clinical nurse specialist education. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 32(2), 71-80. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000357

Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X

Martens, J., Motz, J., & Stump, L. (2018). A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist’s Transition to Manager. AANA Journal, 86(6), 447–454.

Moss, C., & Jackson, J. (2019). Mentoring new graduate nurse practitioners. Neonatal Network, 38(3), 151-159. https://doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.38.3.151

Schober, M., Lehwaldt, D., Rogers, M., Steinke, M., Turale, S., Pulcini, J., … & Stewart, D. (2020). Guidelines on advanced practice nursing.

Urbanowicz, J. (2019). APRN transition to practice: Program development tips. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(12), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000605520.88939.d1

NR 500 WEEK 1 DISCUSSION

Dr. White,

In addition to increased knowledge and advanced assessment skills, Masters prepared nurses develop progressive expertise in areas such as critical communication and research above that of the BSN educational level.  This increased communication and research knowledge promotes evidenced-based initiatives, skills, and practice.  By developing such knowledge, nurses are able to foster increased communication with interdisciplinary teams, as well as to facilitate improvements within the profession of nursing itself (Gaberson & Chappy, 2006).  This type of communication is essential to providing safe quality care, especially where nurses practice autonomously, such as in outpatient settings or in patient’s homes.  While very few empirical studies have been completed on the cognitive abilities or professional skills of nurses with different educational backgrounds, the leading hypothesis does support an increase in cognition as well as communication skills for those with higher degrees (Clark, Casey, & Morris, 2015).

Healthcare reform dictates improved outcomes with less resources, which places a burden on organizations delivering this care.  Ensuring nurses are educated and confident in utilizing existing research or developing new clinical studies, advanced degreed nurses become change agents for higher quality and improved patient outcomes (Stevens, 2013).  More research into nursing practice promotes advancements in health care, which benefits patients who rely on exceptional delivery of care.  Further research studies are necessary to back the hypothesis of higher nursing education and its perceived correlation with improved outcomes; however, even if the only empirical outcome is improved communication amongst inter-professional teams, this alone is a value too great to miss.

References

Clark, L., Casey, D., & Morris, S. (2015, March 26). The Value of master’s degrees for registered nurses. British Journal of Nursing, 24(6), 328-334. http://dx.doi.org/10.12968/jcn.2017.22.Sup12.S28

Gaberson, K., & Chappy, S. (2006). A Matter of degree. AORN Journal, 83(3), 723-725. http://dx.doi.org/10.1916/S0001-2092(06)60199-3

Stevens, K. R. (2013, May). The Impact of evidenced-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 18(2). http://dx.doi.org/10.3912/OJIN.Vol18No02/Man04]

Four APN Roles

The four APN roles include Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA). This section will discuss each APN role, including the educational preparation and work environment.

CNP

The CNP roles include diagnosing and managing health conditions guided by evidence-based guidelines that encompass nursing principles that center on treating an individual as a whole instead of only the condition. The scope of CNP practice requires CNPs to take full clinical responsibility in managing their patient population, including conducting comprehensive health assessments, ordering, and interpreting investigations to make diagnoses (Schober et al., 2020). In addition, CNPs initiate and evaluate patients’ treatment plans and have the authority to refer and admit patients. They offer direct care to un-diagnosed patients through health education and engage in education, clinical leadership, and research. However, the degree of practice autonomy and accountability of CNPs is determined by the context and the state’s regulatory policies in which the NP practices. CNPs in states with Full practice autonomy are allowed to practice to the full scope of the NP practice, while states with restricted practice require CNPs to collaborate with a physician. The minimum educational requirements for a CNP are a master’s nursing degree from an accredited program specific to the CNP (Schober et al., 2020). Nevertheless, there is a trend for a doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree as the entry-level for CNP preparation. CNPs work in primary health care settings, including hospitals, physician offices, private practices, and acute care settings.

CNS

A CNS is an expert clinician with advanced nursing knowledge and skills who offer direct clinical care in a specialized nursing practice area. CNSs have direct and indirect care roles. Direct care entails direct interaction with patients, families, and communities to promote health and well-being and enhance the quality of life (Ares, 2018). Direct care roles include a comprehensive assessment of patients, diagnosing diseases, and prescribing or ordering therapeutic interventions. Indirect care roles include translating the best research evidence into clinical practice to enhance clinical outcomes. They also act as consultants to other nurses and health providers in managing complex patient cases (Ares, 2018). The education preparations for a CNS include a graduate program, master’s or doctoral degree for a CNS program from an accredited institution. The work environment for CNSs includes patient care setting such as clinics, hospitals, physician offices, private practice, nursing homes, schools, and correctional facilities.

CRNA

CRNA roles include administering anesthesia and monitoring patients on anesthesia.

CRNAs collaborate with surgeons, anesthesiologists, and dentists in administering anesthesia. They administer anesthetics to patients in every practice setting in procedures or surgery (Martens et al., 2018). CRNAs are highly autonomous and qualified to make independent decisions. CRNA educational requirements include a minimum of a master’s degree from a CRNA education program (Martens et al., 2018). The program should be accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA). CRNAs work in every patient care setting in which anesthesia is administered, including hospital Ors, obstetric delivery rooms, critical access hospitals, and ambulatory surgical centers.

CNM

CNMs provide reproductive health care to women across the lifespan. The CNM focuses on family planning and gynecologic service, care of women during preconception, antepartum, childbirth and the postpartum period, and newborn care (Schober et al., 2020). CNMs offer primary care services, including annual exams, disease prevention, health promotion, individualized wellness education, counseling, and initiating treatment plans. Educational preparation for CNMs includes a graduate or post-graduate degree program accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education (Schober et al., 2020). The entry requirement into a CNM program includes an RN license with a bachelor’s in nursing degree. CNMs practice in general hospitals, private practices, birthing centers, and public health clinics.

The rationale for Choosing CNP Role

The Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is my preferred CNP role. PMHNP roles include conducting patient assessments, diagnosing mental health and psychiatric conditions, and developing and initiating treatment plans. PMHNPs offer psychotherapy and prescribe pharmacotherapy interventions for mental health and substance abuse disorders (Chapman et al., 2019). PMHNP is preferred over Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) because the former is more specific in its roles while the latter is not specific in practice since FNPs serve patients across the lifespan. Mental health is an area of growing concern nationally and globally and is increasingly prioritized by governments. There is a growing need for mental health practitioners to address the concern, and thus, PMHNPs have a higher demand in the market than FNPs (Chapman et al., 2019). Statistics show that 65.40% of NPs are in FNP practice, while 1.80% are in PMHNP. Thus, PMHNP was selected since the job market is not saturated and there are higher chances of getting jobs with more attractive salaries.

Plans for Clinical Practice

Upon graduation, I plan to work in a mental health facility, providing psychiatric and mental health care to patients. I plan to work in an organization that recognizes the PMHNP scope of practice. As a result, I will carry out duties including assessing patients, diagnosing based on the DSM-V criteria, ordering and interpreting diagnostics, treatment, counseling, and providing health education (Chapman et al., 2019). The research on APN roles has increased my understanding of the difference between a CNP and a CNS. For instance, I have learned that   CNSs provide direct and indirect care while CNPs mostly provide direct clinical care. Besides, CNSs practice within a specialist field, while CNPs work in several fields of practice and settings.

Role Transition (Level 1 Heading)

The transition from RN to APN role means that my scope of practice will expand, and there will be more clinical responsibilities. I will be translating from an expert RN to a novice PMHNP, a noteworthy career role transition. Factors that may impact my role transition include previous RN experience and the working environment (Urbanowicz, 2019). I have a long RN working experience in a mental health care practice, which created the interest in pursuing a PMHNP program. The experience will positively impact the role transition since I will apply the knowledge, skills, and experience gained throughout the years in my new NP role. The working environment will positively or negatively impact the transition process. A supportive working environment with mentorship and coaching opportunities will positively impact transition (Urbanowicz, 2019). On the other hand, an environment that does not support new APNs through mentorship and positive supervision will negatively impact role transition.

Strategies to foster a successful RN to NP transition include enrolling in an APN mentorship program and setting realistic personal goals and expectations. A mentorship program will include having a mentor, mostly an experienced PMHNP, who will guide me in the new role and improve my weaknesses (Moss & Jackson, 2019). Setting realistic personal goals and expectations will include having short-term goals that will help transition to a proficient PMHNP. Besides, it will help prevent the anxiety that comes with the new responsibilities.

Conclusion

APNs have advanced nursing knowledge and skills and provide specialized care and manage complex patient cases. They work autonomously or in collaboration with other professionals based on state regulations. APNs work in primary healthcare settings, and their roles include assessing, diagnosing, ordering tests, and initiating treatment. PMHNP is my preferred role due to the high demand for mental health practitioners. Factors that will impact my role transition include previous RN experience and the working environment. The transition can be fostered through a mentorship program and setting realistic personal goals and expectations.

References

Ares, T. L. (2018). Role transition after clinical nurse specialist education. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 32(2), 71-80. https://doi.org/10.1097/NUR.0000000000000357

Chapman, S. A., Toretsky, C., & Phoenix, B. J. (2019). Enhancing psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner practice: impact of state scope of practice regulations. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 10(1), 35-43. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2155-8256(19)30081-X

Martens, J., Motz, J., & Stump, L. (2018). A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist’s Transition to Manager. AANA Journal, 86(6), 447–454.

Moss, C., & Jackson, J. (2019). Mentoring new graduate nurse practitioners. Neonatal Network, 38(3), 151-159. https://doi.org/10.1891/0730-0832.38.3.151

Schober, M., Lehwaldt, D., Rogers, M., Steinke, M., Turale, S., Pulcini, J., … & Stewart, D. (2020). Guidelines on advanced practice nursing.

Urbanowicz, J. (2019). APRN transition to practice: Program development tips. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(12), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000605520.88939.d1

Directions

1. Introduction: Provide an overview of what will be covered in the paper. Introduction should include general statements on advanced practice nursing roles, general statements on the role transition from RN to APN, and identification of the purpose of the paper. 
2. Four APN Roles: Describe the role, educational preparation, and work environment for the four APN roles (CNP, CNS, CRNA & CNM). Provide support from at least one scholarly source. 
3. Rationale for Choosing CNP Role: Describe your rationale for choosing the CNP advanced practice role versus one of the other roles. 
4. Plans for Clinical Practice: Discuss your plans for clinical practice after graduation. Explain how your understanding of NP practice has changed after researching the four ANP roles. 
5. Role Transition: Discuss your transition from the RN role to the NP role. Describe two factors that may impact your transition. Discuss two strategies you will use to support a successful transition from the RN to your NP role. Provide reference support from at least one scholarly source. The textbook is not a scholarly source. 
6. Conclusion: Provide a conclusion, including a brief summary of what you discussed in the paper. 

ASSIGNMENT CONTENT
Category	Points	%	Description
Introduction	12	8%	Provides an overview of what will be covered in the paper. Introduction should include:  general statements on advanced practice nursing roles general statements on the role transition from RN to APN identification of the purpose of the paper.
Four APN Roles	40	27%	Describes the role, educational preparation, and work environment for the four APN roles  CNP CNS CRNA CNM Provides support from at least one scholarly source.
Rationale for Choosing CNP Role	15	10%	Describes the student’s rationale for choosing the CNP advanced practice role versus one of the other roles.
Plans for Clinical Practice	15	10%	Discusses the student’s plans for clinical practice after graduation. Explains how student’s understanding of NP practice has changed after researching ANP roles.
Role Transition	40	27%	Discusses the student’s transition from the RN role to the NP role.  Describes two factors that may impact the transition.  Discusses two strategies student will use to support a successful transition from the RN to your NP role.  Provides reference support from at least one scholarly source. The textbook is not a scholarly source.
Conclusion	12	8%	Provides a conclusion, including a brief summary of what was discussed in the paper.
	134	90%	Total CONTENT Points= 134 points
ASSIGNMENT FORMAT
Category	Points	%	Description
APA Formatting	8	5%	Formatting follows APA Manual (current edition) guidelines for  title page body of paper (including citations and headings) reference page
Writing Mechanics	8	5%	Writing mechanics Follow the rules of grammar, spelling, word usage, punctuation, and other aspects of formal written work as found in the current edition of the APA manual. The length of the paper is at least 3 pages but no more than 6 pages.
	16	10%	Total FORMAT Points= 16 points
	150	90%	ASSIGNMENT TOTAL=150 points

Grading Rubric

Roles in Advanced Practice Nursing  

There is a shortage of nursing staff within the United States, and furthering my education to become a CNP was the next step to help provide care for those in need. This paper aims to educate the audience on the four different APN roles, describing their education requirements, work environment, and description of their titles. These roles include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives, who all play a vital role in the future of healthcare. All four functions seek to improve patient outcomes and provide the best quality care of life. 

Four APN Roles 

Certified Nurse Practitioner 

To obtain a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) master’s degree, one must be a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and pass the National NP board certification. CNPs train and practice in multiple fields of Medicine, including trauma, adult gerontology, oncology, orthopedics, etc. (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). CNPs can practice in physician’s offices, acute-care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, urgent care sites, emergency rooms, and many other facilities (Cleveland Clinic, 2023). Certified Nurse Practitioners can work with physicians or independently use nursing skills with a medical perspective to provide preventative care, create diagnosis treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide follow-up care. As a CNP, there is a focus on a specific group of patients to fulfill their needs. 

Certified Nurse Specialist 

Clinical nurse specialists are registered nurses who require a higher level of education, such as a master’s and doctorate level in nursing. Clinical nurse specialists typically work in the following: hospitals, outpatient, doctor offices, community health centers, home health agencies, etc. These nurses are educated just like the others to diagnose, treat, prescribe, and depending on their state regulations. Clinical Nurse Specialists analyze and treat acute and chronic illnesses while focusing on quality and safety, evidence-based practice, and clinical care (Whitehead, 2023). 

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist  

Nurses can become Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists with at least two years of critical care experience, including Intensive care units or Emergency departments. The education process is a rigorous two to three years, during which nurses will learn proper preparation for the administration of anesthesia and obtain a DNP or ADNP after passing board examinations and clinical hours. As a CRNA, one can administer anesthesia to patients of all ages and is usually found in Hospital Operation rooms and outpatient surgical clinics. Many CRNAs can then subspecialize into a fellowship, such as chronic pain management, focusing on managing patients’ pain regimens, adding a year to their practice (Cleveland Clinic, 2022). 

Certified Nurse Midwife 

Certified Nurse Midwives are Registered Nurses with a bachelor’s degree and an MSN/DNP specializing in Women’s reproductive health and pregnancy. Many Labor and Delivery nurses with years of experience will continue to become Certified Midwives. Midwives work in hospitals, birthing centers, private practices, and clinics to provide education and care for pregnant women and mothers. CNMs provide counseling for prevention in antiretroviral treatments, prenatal care, birthing interventions, and postpartum care (DeNisco & Barker, 2016).    

Rationale for Choosing the CNP Role 

Initially, I had difficulty deciding between Certified Nurse Practitioner and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist roles. I knew I wanted to be out of school only briefly, so I began searching soon after I obtained my RN. As I searched for the requirements and qualifications, I soon realized becoming a certified nurse practitioner was the best route for me and my family. The CNP role focuses on disease management, health promotion, and prevention.

Not only do they focus on those interventions as a provider, but they have become more open to holistic healing, which I have seen and heard more of while working in the field. Another reason for choosing this route is its versatility. I currently work in the medical-surgical nursing field and began feeling very comfortable. I wanted something different, and this role provides that whether you are practicing in family, psychiatric, acute, or pediatric care. Also, there are leadership opportunities as a CNP. The position closely aligns with that of medical doctors. A prime example of the difference between physicians and CNPs is that both can prescribe medications. Depending on the state, a doctor/physician may have to supervise them. There are so many opportunities in this role, especially given a shortage in the medical field. That flexibility is an advantage, so I chose the CNP role. 

Plans for Clinical Practice  

After graduating from the NP program, I plan on working at my PRN job on the night shift since I am more familiar with how they collaborate with the hospitalist. Knowing the night shift nurse practitioners and hospitalists would make for an easier transition. Seeing familiar faces and understanding how they assess and treat will help prepare me to give the proper quality care to my patients. After researching all the ANP roles, I better understood the roles and realized I had made the right decision to go into this program. The CNP role fitted me more regarding the care I wanted to provide and the schedule for my daughter and family.  

Role Transition  

I expect the role transition from RN to NP to be challenging because it will come with many responsibilities and duties. One thing is that this scope of practice will expand my horizons regarding caring for my patients. I will be held accountable for all my interventions and patient care decisions. Transitioning from an RN to an NP role and feeling inexperienced can often be stressful (Barnes, 2015). This can sometimes result in losing confidence or personal identity. Another impact it may have on transitioning is working under a physician, depending on state regulations. As an RN, one already follows orders based on a doctor, but they can advocate and decide how they want to provide care. As a CNP, I may be able to prescribe medications alongside the doctors, but it is ultimately up to the doctor’s discretion. One approach I will take to transition from RN to CNP successfully is to find a mentor. When switching to this new role, the mentor can provide guidance, advice, support, and feedback. Another approach to consider is attending a post-grad residency program. These programs help provide guidance, gain confidence, and prepare those who may be anxious as they transition.  

Conclusion  

As previously discussed, there are four different APN roles: Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Certified Nurse Specialist (CNS), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM). Throughout this composition, I explained the education requirements, the description of these roles, and the work environments in which these roles take place. Once I detailed the descriptions of these professions, I clarified my rationale for the CNP role over the others. To conclude, I provided details of my plans after graduation and my transition from the RN to the NP role. 

          References 

Barnes H. (2015). Exploring the Factors that Influence Nurse Practitioner Role Transition. The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 11(2), 178–183. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.11.004 

Cleveland Clinic (2022, March 17). Nurse anesthetist (Crna): What they do & training. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22561-nurse-anesthetist-crna  

Cleveland Clinic (2023, January 26). What is a nurse practitioner? https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/24651-nurse-practitioner   

DeNisco, S., & Barker, A. M. (2016). Advanced practice nursing essential knowledge of the profession. Jones & Bartlett Learning.  

Whitehead, Phyllis PhD, APRN/CNS, ACHPN, PMGT-BC, FNAP, FCNS, FAAN. The Unique Practice of the Clinical Nurse Specialist. Clinical Nurse Specialist 37(4):p 154-155, 7/8 2023. | DOI: 10.1097/NUR.0000000000000762 

Reflection on Week 2 Lesson

In week 2, I learned about the four APRN practice specialties, including CNP, CNS, CRNA, and CNM. The roles of CNPs include: Assessing and diagnosing patients, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, developing treatment plans, prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, providing patient education, and keeping patient health records (Mounayar & Cox, 2020). CNS are obligated to guide other nurses, provide nursing leadership, and research and implement new patient care policies. The roles of CRNAs include assessing patients and their medical history to determine the appropriate course of anesthesia, make plans for anesthesia delivery, and administer anesthesia (Mounayar & Cox, 2020). Lastly, CNMs provide primary, gynecological, and reproductive health care services.

In my new role as an NP, I look forward to practicing to my full scope of training, including treating and diagnosing health conditions, managing chronic diseases, and educating the general public on health issues. Besides, I look forward to taking part in continuous education to remain up-to-date with advancements in healthcare and continuously improve the quality of patient care and health outcomes. 

My concern about transitioning to the NP role is whether, as a new NP, my employer will allow me to perform clinical duties per the scope of practice. I was surprised that the NPs’ roles are unique from other APRNs since they view patients’ health and well-being from a holistic perspective (Urbanowicz, 2019). I was amazed by NPs’ vital role in helping to address the increasing primary care shortage, alleviating healthcare costs, and enhancing patient satisfaction.

References

Mounayar, J., & Cox, M. (2020). Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Residency Program: Best Practice. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.10.023

Urbanowicz, J. (2019). APRN transition to practice: Program development tips. The Nurse Practitioner, 44(12), 50-55. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.NPR.0000605520.88939.d1