Introduction
The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (2010) indicates that Gerontology nursing is a specialty of nursing practice that is evidence-based. It manages the unique physiological, financial, formative, social, and profound needs of the process of aging (p. 10). It encompasses the application of the knowledge and skills of the body to provide nursing care that ensures that it meets the unique spiritual and biopsychosocial needs of the elderly (NONPF, 2012). Two types of nurse practitioners exist in this field: primary care and acute care nurse practitioners. The elderly population consists of 65-year-old people and above (AACN, 2010). However, the main element differentiating this population from others is their needs related to the process of aging and the stage of development.
The purpose of this essay is to describe the differences between the competencies of the AGACNP and AGPCNP and show how these differences affect practice in specific clinical areas. It will also discuss their differences in terms of education and training, the scope of practice as well as the position of the Arizona Board of Nursing.
The Difference between Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner And Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies
How I perceive the differences in competencies and how it affects practice in specific clinical areas
Not much difference exists between ACNPC-AG and FNPC-AG. The little difference that they have ensures that every nursing practitioner works within his/her jurisdiction. It ensures there is no conflict within the working environment. It also ensures that only a qualified nurse attends to patients either in the primary care setting or in the acute care setting (Buppert, 2002).
The Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) is a Registered Nurse, who is mandated to incorporate exploratory, hypothetical, and contemporary clinical learning to survey actually and oversee wellbeing and also disease state. The fundamental obligation of the AGPCN is to give essential treatment to all adults and elderly age ranges in every aspect beginning from health to sickness.
As per the AACN (2010), adult-gerontology primary care concentrates on giving patient-focused quality care to grown-ups and the elderly population. The AACN also states that AG-Primary Care makes use of evidence in practice so that the quality of care and outcomes can become better. (p. 12).
Education and training
The Gerontology Nurse practitioner deals with advanced practice. The nurse possesses a master’s or doctorate from a nurse practitioner program. The practitioner specializes in the care of older adults. They must have passed a National Certification Examination in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care. These nurses must also follow the regulations of the state board of nursing (AACN, 2010 p. 11).
Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPC) Adult-Gerontology is instructed to analyze and oversee intense and chronic diseases, taking a comprehensive approach to deal with the restorative, psychosocial and utilitarian needs of the elderly. The AACN (2010), states that gerontology nurse practitioners train over the health ailment continuum (p. 12).
Scope of Practice and position of the Arizona Board of Nursing
According to the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2012, p. 6), adult-gerontology primary care nurse practice is not based on a particular setting. It mainly deals with the needs of the patient.
The Adult-Gerontology ACNP works within the acute care areas within the hospital. The ACNP-AG primarily deals with patients who have acute and chronic illnesses and those in the ICU (AACN, 2010). The Arizona Board of Nursing explains that a registered nurse practitioner whose work is to provide acute care services is not expected to exceed the points of confinement of the propelled practice claim specialty area.
Example from personal experience
Scenario
My grandfather is an 85-year-old, and he frequently visits his PCNP for the administration of his constant sickness. He states that his COPD has lost control. The COPD he was given together with the salvage nebulizer treatment has been insignificantly powerful. He now needs antibiotics. The oximetry of his heartbeat is 89% on room air. He likewise has shortness of breath and breaths with his lips pressed together. He also has respiratory wheezing and two-sided rales.
His admission note directs that he is admitted to internal medicine, acquire confirmation labs, EKG, and midsection x-ray in ER.
In this situation, the PCNP will admit my grandfather to the doctor’s facility’s medicinal unit. The affirmation will be either through the emergency department of the hospital, or a ‘direct admit’. In the event that the patient sidesteps the emergency department and is admitted specifically to the medicinal/surgical unit of the doctor’s facility after admission, the ACNP will start treating the patient to settle his condition.
Conclusion
A registered nurse practitioner has competencies in both acute care and primary care. The scope of practice for both the AGACNP and AGPCNP does not have a definite setting. However, it is concerned with the requirements of the patients (AACN, 2010). The nursing practitioners may be equipped with competencies in both primary care and acute care during training. However, these graduates must seek certification in both critical and primary care roles. The certification must also match the type of education that a certified nurse practitioner has concerning these functions.
References
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2010). Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Competencies. Web.
Buppert, C. (2002). 20 Questions to Ask a Prospective Employer. Web.
NONPF. (2012). Statement on acute care and primary care certified nurse practitioner practice. Web.