Difference of the APRN (AG-ACNP) Role and Scope
Even though ACNPs are one type of APRN, there is a significant difference in their role and scope. Advanced practice registered nurses are at the forefront of providing preventive services to the public. They treat and diagnose diseases, advise the public on health issues, and treat chronic diseases. In turn, Miller (2019) notes that adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner sees patients when they are sick, admitted to the hospital, or after surgery or injury. According to Rosenthal and Guerrasio (2010), acute care nurse practitioners provide short-term care to patients with serious health problems in settings such as specialty clinics, hospitals, and intensive care units. Primary nursing care is dedicated to caring for and advising patients at different stages of their lives. The acute care nurse practitioner is associated with patients suffering from acute illnesses and health conditions. In contrast, advanced practice registered nurses work with patients who require routine medical care or suffer from chronic conditions that do not require immediate medical attention. Thus, AG-ACNPs provide care in emergency situations, while APRNs provide care in standard conditions that do not require immediate medical attention.
State and Federal Constitutions and How This Statutes May Affect AG-ACNP Practice
Because Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (ACNPs) are advanced practice registered nurses, their practice is governed by the legislation leading the practice of APRNs. According to Carpenter (2021), it is defined by the Nurse Practice Act and regulated by the Board of Nursing. All states have passed the Nursing Practices Act (NPA), which establishes a Board of Nurses (BON) with authority to make administrative rules or regulations to clarify the law. Rules and regulations must comply with the NPA and cannot go beyond it. Thus, the Standards of Clinical Practice for the ACNP are built on the generalist standards defined by the American Nurses Association Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice. Moreover, AG-ACNP practice is influenced by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) AACN Scope and Standards for Acute and Critical Care Nursing Practice.
Role in Managing a Patient per AG-ACNP Standard of Evidence-Based Practice and Guidelines
According to American Nurses Association (2021), ACNP evaluates patients with acute, critical, or complex chronic illnesses through their medical history, physical and mental examinations, and health risk assessments. ACNP also individualizes care based on gender, age, race, cultural differences, personality, ethnicity, spiritual beliefs, lifestyle, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, disability, and family composition. The focus of ACNP is to provide therapeutic, curative, rehabilitative, palliative, and supportive services based on the patient’s needs. Kleinpell et al. (2018) assert that goals include stabilizing the patient for acute and life-threatening conditions, minimizing or preventing complications, managing comorbidities, and promoting physical and psychological well-being. Of particular importance is the interaction with other members of the interprofessional health team.
Thus, my role as an AG-ACNP is to provide care, ranging from disease prevention to acute and intensive care, stabilize the patient, prevent complications, restore maximum health and provide palliative care. It is important to synthesize theoretical, scientific, and current clinical knowledge to assess the diagnosis accurately, treat and manage health problems, and, if necessary, refer to other health care providers. These recommendations were used because they include health promotion, health protection, disease prevention and treatment, and improving patient outcomes, which are key objectives of nursing practice.
Collaborative Role of an AG-ACNP
Of particular importance in nursing practice is the collaborative role of an AG-ACNP. Unützer et al. (2013) assert that the collaborative care model brings together health care providers from different areas to treat different cases. The collaborative approach requires groups to share their knowledge and ideas in a particular area for improvement. Kluwer (2021) notes that this can work between authorities and organizations or between different teams within an organization. Collaboration between healthcare providers ensures that patients receive the highest quality care to meet their unique medical needs. Thus, adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioners need to be able to recognize the diverse needs of their patients and collaborate with other healthcare professionals when necessary to provide the best possible care for patients. Furthermore, it takes the burden off the patient, who does not have to explain the situation to every new provider, and gives them back medical decision-making.
References
American Nurses Association. (2021). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice (4th ed.). American Nurses Association.
Carpenter, D. (2021). Essentials for the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner. Springer Publishing Company.
Kleinpell, R., Cook, M. L., & Padden, D. L. (2018). American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Nurse Practitioner sample survey: Update on acute care nurse practitioner practice. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 30(3), 140-149. Web.
Kluwer, W. (2021). Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner: A case-based approach. Paula McCauley.
Miller, K. (2019). Setting or patient care needs: Which defines advanced practice registered nurse scope of practice? Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 15(7), 494-495. Web.
Rosenthal, L. D. & Guerrasio, J. (2010). Acute care nurse practitioner as hospitalist: Role description. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 20(2), 21-24. Web.
Unützer, J., Harbin, H., Schoenbaum, M., & Druss, B. (2013). The collaborative care model: An approach for integrating physical and mental health care in Medicaid health homes [PDF document]. Web.