Introduction
Nursing has recognized several misconceptions about the differences between advanced nursing practice (ANP) and Advanced Practice Nurses (APN). The public should be notified of the distinct responsibilities of APNs and ANPs within the healthcare system and the significance of the advanced practice. The importance of advanced practice techniques to the level of clinical treatment and the overall performance of the healthcare system cannot be overstated. In this manner, Advanced Practice is responsible for various responsibilities essential to running the health sector. This paper will differentiate between ANPs and APNs, outlining their distinct duties in relation to crucial practice components. My nursing philosophy, as well as the regulatory requirements for the nursing profession in Florida, require APRN-related competencies, certification prerequisites, and transformational leadership styles.
Advanced Nursing Practice (ANP) and the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)
The terms Advanced practice nurse and Advanced nursing practice are distinct and cannot be interchanged. This is due to the fact that the APN is a registered Registered nurse (RN) who has completed the advanced graduate education and clinical practice requirements required to offer healthcare to a specific demographic within a community. APNs may be situated in acute, primary, or specialized care settings, where they offer care to patients and families throughout their lifetime. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) are the four critical APN roles (NursingAmerica, 2020). Advanced nursing practice, in contrast, is an umbrella phrase for several nursing specializations. ANPs may perform activities comparable to RNs but have additional autonomy and may serve as leaders for other nurses and staff. Furthermore, they might seek to enhance workplace patient care and therapy approaches.
There are also substantial variances in their duties and responsibilities, despite the fact that they are both nursing care providers. APNs are in charge of gathering a patient’s medical history, recommending patients for specialist care and monitoring, and administering medications, among other responsibilities. Nevertheless, APN tasks are established by the nurse’s field of speciality, and state-specific requirements vary (Davidson-Corbett et al., 2023). ANPs have the authorization to prescribe medication to patients, while the State’s practising authority laws and regulations govern the kind of treatments and amount of supervision necessary. APNs, on the contrary, are not permitted to prescribe drugs unless they can impose constraints based on their specialty and condition of employment.
Roles of Advanced Practice Nurse
Advanced nursing practice is a subspecialty that broadens the area of nursing practice, adds to nursing knowledge, and advances the profession. ANPs have accomplished postgraduate training and education in nursing and have a clinical role in enhancing patient outcomes (Lopes-Jnior, 2021). Certified Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Specialist, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, and nurse educator are the tasks of the APN. The CNP manages patients’ needs independently and collaborates with other healthcare professionals. They diagnose and treat acute and chronic diseases, promoting wellness, preventive care, education, and counseling. The CRNA administers anesthesia in collaboration with surgeons, dentists, and physician anesthesiologists. The CNS is a specialist in a certain field of healthcare, including oncology, cardiology, or pediatrics. The function of the CNS comprises the Patient, the nurse, and the organization (Lopes-Jnior, 2021). A nurse educator is accountable for creating and executing educational initiatives for nurses in all clinical settings. Nurse educators may serve at academic institutions, healthcare institutions, or the community to offer nurses training and support.
Advanced nursing practice role that I aspire
The Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) is a nurse with substantial education and training who offers high-quality, patient-centered care. Thus, my goal as a nurse in Florida would be to specialize as a nurse practitioner (NP). The purpose of an NP is to help patients comprehend their condition via evaluation and the provision of the appropriate therapies (NursingAmerica, 2020). The State of Florida permits ARNPs to diagnose, treat, and even prescribe medications for their patients. In addition, the NP performs a crucial role in educating and informing patients about their health concerns, facilitating better management. Since nurse practitioners are qualified to offer treatment to patients, they can provide primary care to people of all ages and ethnicities. As a child, I cared for my younger siblings whenever they were ill. As they recovered, I had a significant sense of satisfaction, which led me to realize that nursing was an area of interest since it brought job fulfillment. To acquire autonomy in delivering high-quality, patient-centered treatment that may aid in preventing and managing chronic disease, I decided to advance my nursing profession to that of a nurse practitioner.
Personal Nursing Philosophy
My nursing philosophy is founded on the essential nursing ideas of managing time and prioritization. Following my first few weeks as a nurse, I had difficulties organizing my time and creating priorities. I learned that establishing priorities allowed me to manage my schedule effectively; consequently, I could give each patient the greatest quality treatment in the shortest period. Especially in the emergency department, patient situations constantly change, necessitating reprioritization fairly frequently; hence, time management is essential to treat patients properly. I have grasped the significance of these two concepts through time and experience. Florence Nightingale’s model aided my description of my nursing philosophy. Florence’s models suggest comprehensive critical thinking is essential and appropriate, and a healthy environment is required for healing. She based her idea on five elements that she believed were crucial for building a healthy family system. They comprised clean water, air, cleanliness, basic hygiene, and light.
Regulatory and Legal Requirements in Florida
The Florida Board of Nursing is a regulating agency that assures persons are competent to practice as nurses in the State of Florida in several essential ways through licensing, disciplining, educating, monitoring, and rehabilitating. Nurses are subject to a minimum level to guarantee that all patients in various healthcare settings get safe, competent care. Failing to meet this minimal practice level will result in losing a nursing license and the inability to practice in the State (Toney-Butler & Martin, 2022). A nurse practitioner in the state of Florida must hold a master’s degree in addition to a national advanced training credential from an approved nursing specialty board. They are only permitted to give services such as diagnosis and medicine after receiving board approval and completing post-basic advanced education. To qualify for the designation of Autonomous practice, the Advanced practice nurse must possess a valid, non-suspended license.
Required Competencies and Certification Requirements as a Nurse Practitioner
A set of competencies are included in the NP program and serve as guides for practice. In Florida, the mandatory competencies for NPs include leadership, quality of care, and technology and information literacy (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2022). As leaders in the nursing field, NPs are expected to incorporate research-based information into practice. Nurse practitioners must be sensitive to cultural differences and very flexible in information literacy. They should successfully cooperate to improve patient experiences. The NP is required to improve care delivery in accordance with the findings and policies of new evidence-based research. Treatment should be individualized and adapted to the needs of each client. NPs are at the forefront of health and should be engaged in policymaking. The NP has the necessary education, personal encounters, and clinical knowledge to create and aid in modifying policies. Moreover, NPs must have a solid understanding of technology and information literacy. The NPs must be knowledgeable about all types of informatics to deliver professional, empathetic care and satisfy patients’ requirements.
The requirement to obtain certification as Nurse Practitioner
The two most commonly recognized accrediting agencies for nursing programs are the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Pathophysiology is one of the essential subjects evaluated on the exam, along with developmental physiology, advanced physical and health evaluations, and pharmacology (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2022). To be qualified to practice as an RN in Florida, the applicant must have obtained and maintained a valid license. Moreover, certification requires completion of a graduate program in advanced medical assessment, prognosis, extended pharmacotherapy, health maintenance, and enhancement.
Transformational Leadership Related to Identified Leadership Attributes
As an NP, my leadership approach is centered on a transformational leadership paradigm and a democratic leadership style. The transformational leader collaborates with the workforce to develop and optimize patient outcomes and practice. Leaders must exceed operational responsibilities by inspiring, teaching, encouraging, and creating unit-achievable objectives. They should act as examples and demonstrate care for the interests of all team members. The transformational leader should respectfully communicate with other staff members, inspire workers to be innovative, and listen to and accept the concerns of all members. My leadership style allows me to practice while lobbying for my patients and cooperating with other healthcare professionals to establish the best practice since I am an empathic and attentive listener.
Leadership Style that I will Embrace
I strongly believe in a democratic leadership style as a primary APN care provider. I will utilize a democratic leadership style to encourage and empower other nurses to be independent and responsible in their collaboration to increase quality (Maelany, Sukesi & Prasetya, 2022). The healthcare sector is changing quickly, with an increasing need for holistic treatment from a diverse patient population. Democratic leadership will enable me to be more vigilant and attentive at work. I will supervise a group, rapidly identifying areas requiring correction and adjusting alongside my team to get higher outcomes. I will employ a democratic leadership style to create confidence in the nurses and facilitate them with the skills necessary to make sound judgments and serve the needs and interests of their patients. Democratic leadership requires improving patient care through effective communication and qualified medical professionals (Maelany, Sukesi & Prasetya, 2022). The leadership style will enable me to influence how nurses communicate, resulting in fewer mistakes, more consistency, and improved patient care, thereby enhancing staff satisfaction.
Current Policy or Trends Related to APN Role in Primary Care
Current rules prevent NPs from practicing to the full extent of their education and training. The primary objective of the NP is to have full practice power in all jurisdictions; nevertheless, practice rules and licenses vary by State; hence, some states may still have NPs with limited or regulated practice and licensure. By a joint agreement, this method permits the NP to perform at least one aspect controlled by a physician. NPs are at the frontline of healthcare and should participate in policy development. The NP has the necessary education, personal encounters, and clinical skills to create and aid in implementing health-altering policies (Wiesen, 2023). NPs may implement the required legislative reforms to eliminate this impediment to practice by uniting nursing professional groups, educators, and payers in their support.
How APN can Lead Changes
APNs advocate for patients by contributing to developing health policies that safeguard the quality of care by enhancing access to and utilization of effective services to enhance patient outcomes. By remaining engaged in health policy development, APNs may impact change (Heinen et al., 2019). APNs may acquire the knowledge and skills to address policy-making and associated issues. The APN may collaborate with other healthcare professionals, politicians, and lawmakers to develop fair and efficient health policies.
Conclusion
An advanced Practice Nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who has completed the advanced graduate education and clinical practice requirements to offer healthcare to a specific demographic within a community. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM), Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) are the four essential APN roles. The requirement for quality development has resulted in a greater percentage of patients getting fundamental medical treatment. Thus, the nurse practitioner is essential in delivering patient-centered, high-quality care. The NP ranks among the professionals who have direct patient contact. Through health promotion, these professionals will also reduce medical expenses and prevent chronic diseases. Although some states in the United States provide NPs complete autonomy to practice, guidelines must be devised to guarantee that all states grant NPs full liberty to practice.
References
Davidson-Corbett, D., Godwin, C., McNeely, H., Ramirez, J., & Smith, J. (2023). CPD providers can positively impact practice by better understanding how APNs are educated, licenced, and certified. Journal of CME, 12(1), 2160531. Web.
Heinen, M., van Oostveen, C., Peters, J., Vermeulen, H., & Huis, A. (2019). An integrative review of leadership competencies and attributes in advanced nursing practice. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 75(11), 2378-2392. Web.
Lopes-Júnior, L. C. (2021). Advanced practice nursing and the expansion of the role of nurses in primary health care in the Americas. SAGE Open Nursing, 7, 237796082110194. Web.
Maelany, I., Sukesi, N., & Prasetya, C. H. (2022). The relationship of leadership style of the head room with nurse’s work motivation. Indonesian Journal of Global Health Research, 4(1), 85–92. Web.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2022). NP role core competencies – Nonpf.org. Web.
NursingAmerica. (2020). Advanced practice registered nurse. Florida board of nursing. Web.
Toney-Butler, T. J., & Martin, R. L. (2022). Florida nurse practice act laws and rules. Nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. Web.
Wiesen, K. (2023). 8 top family nurse practitioner professional organizations. (2023). Nursingprocess.org. Web.