Title: NUR 590 Week 8 Benchmark Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have increased scope, roles and professional obligations based on their training, education and experience in the nursing profession. with more states allowing nurse practitioners to have expanded practice scope and authority, APRNs become leaders and critical role players in the delivery of healthcare services in a fast transforming health care environment. additionally, they must understand the role of professional nursing organizations as members in their new positions as leaders and advanced care providers (Dyess et al., 2017). The role of professional bodies defines nurses\u2019 scope of practice and their obligations in current and future specialty areas. The purpose of this paper is to research my current scope of practice for my specialty and present efforts to expand the scope and role of advanced nurse to influence the health care system positively.<\/p>\n

Scope of Future Role as an Advanced Registered Nurses<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Nurses continue to adopt greater responsibilities as leaders and managers in different healthcare settings due to current changes in legislations at state and federal levels. As the role of the nurse transforms from a physician\u2019s assistant to an integral member of the life-saving team, the nurse leader role emerges. The scope of a nurse leader is wide but at the core of this responsibility is to guide nurses and ensure that they are complying to high standards of quality care and patient safety. In its report, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) noted the importance of nurses leading change and advancing health as essential ways of transforming the nursing profession and delivering quality and safe care to patients in diverse practice settings (Ducharme et al., 2017). The IOM report key message states that nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health professionals in redesigning healthcare in the country. As an advanced registered nurse, my future role is to be a nurse leader in clinical practice championing effective care and increased partnership between nurse practitioners, physicians and other health care professionals.<\/p>\n

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that close to 500,000 registered nurses would be retiring and leading to a demand for about 1.1 million new nurses to meet the new demand and replace retirees most of them in managerial and leadership positions (Dyess et al., 2017). The implication is that the scope of nurse leader\u2019s role would have expanded responsibilities and the need to offer supervisory services to staff in a hospital or clinical setting. Nurse leaders are responsible for ensuring safe delivery of care and are must be intimately familiar with the safety standards and protocols of the medical profession and their healthcare practice. Nurse leaders are expected to supervise members of the nursing team to ensure that all patients get safe care.<\/p>\n

Successful nurse leaders maintain and use evidence-based practices in their nursing team and settings. The implication is that as a nurse leader, one must be up to date and well conversant with different medical practices and protocols. Nurse leaders should be aware of different professional publications, be members of professional associations and use health notices to enhance care delivery (Ducharme et al., 2017). The care decisions and choices of nurse leaders should be informed by evidence-based research studies and public health concerns of the population and patients visiting their practice environment.\u00a0 Nurse leaders are responsible for monitoring patient care to ascertain that members of their teams work toward optimum quality standards. Nurse leaders should consider patient concerns seriously and address them in the most effective way. As leaders, they should promote high quality care standards for each patient and their families. Successful nurse leaders focus on attainment of high quality experiences for both patients and nurses in their care setting.<\/p>\n

Nurse leaders are members of professional organizations like the American Nurses Association and must adhere to state regulatory bodies\u2019 requirements. For instance, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a national entity which offer nurses with regulatory requirements at the federal level. The organization is responsible for development of state licensure examinations that adhere to current nursing practice. NCSBN provides state boards of nursing with current nursing practice programs to enhance collaborative approaches to different nursing issues and nurse leaders incorporate such new evidence into care practice among their nursing teams. The organization also provides boards with evidence-based practice content to guide nurse leaders in making decisions on regulatory issues that may impact their practice.<\/p>\n

Nurse leaders should also understand the role of regulatory bodies like the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which is responsible for overseeing healthcare programs like the meaning application of electronic health records and value-based care and reimbursement protocols (CMS, n.d). The CMS has certain guidelines that nurse leaders should adhere to in order to get reimbursement. The implication is that as a nurse leader, one must understand how CMS works to effectively guide their teams and play their leadership roles.<\/p>\n

Influential Professional Nursing Organizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Professional organizations and associations are a vital component of care provision for nurses, especially nurse practitioners who wish to change the scope of their future practice. The increasing role of nurse leaders implores them to be members of professional organizations to enhance their care practice and ensure that they understand different aspects of the healthcare industry, particularly in advocacy and being voice of change. Healthcare policies by their nature are political processes that require lobbying and effective leadership skills. Further, nurse leaders require leadership skills that will endure them to subordinates and help inspire them to deliver quality care (Sherman & Saifman, 2018). Therefore, professional organizations offer a platform and forum for nurse leaders to horn new skills, articulate their concerns, and understand changing regulatory environment, not just for nurses but also patients. professional organizations allow nurse leaders and practitioners to exchange ideas for better and improved practice and offer a platform to interact with peers for increased motivation.<\/p>\n

Three of the most influential and prominent organizations for nurse leaders include the American Nurses Association (ANA), the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership. Founded in 1896, the American Nurses Association has membership in all 50 states and is the largest voice for the nursing profession. All nurses, including nurse leaders are members of this national professional organization (ANA, n.d.). The ANA was created to help nurses foster high standards of nursing practice, promote safe and ethical work environment and practice, bolster the health and wellness of nurse practitioners and advocate for their issues at all levels. The ANA assists nurses attain their highest level of potential as it encourages lifelong learning and acquisition of knowledge through seminar, webinars, conferences, and research publications through its different platforms like journals and websites. Nurse leaders join the association to help increase the voice of the nursing profession on a host of healthcare issues.<\/p>\n

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is a national organization formed to empower all nurse practitioners (NP) to advance quality healthcare through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership. The organization provides NPs with information, tools and resources that allow them to shape the healthcare system and offer quality care (AANP, 2020). As nurse leaders, NPs are expected to integrate evidence-based practice interventions into their care practices and focus on quality delivery. The AANP encourages its members to seek lifelong learning and assume complex roles as equal partners in care provision in different practice settings.<\/p>\n

The American Organization for Nursing Leadership is a national professional entity of more than 10,000 nurse leaders which voices issues concerning nurse leaders in different aspects of their care delivery and leadership roles. With a mission to shape health care through innovative and expert nursing leadership, the organization provide a voice for nurse leaders to advance health for populations and patients in different areas (AONL, 2020). The association focuses on three areas that include promoting professional development for nurse leaders through education, supporting policy for nurse leaders through advocacy, and ensuring that nurse leaders are members of a diverse community through their membership in the organization.<\/p>\n

Based on these aspects, being a member of all these organizations is fundamental in delivery of quality and patient-centered care. Nurses by virtue of their profession are members of ANA and due to specialty different associations. In this regard, I am a member of both ANA and AANP and would like to join the American Organization for Nursing Leadership as its goals and mission fit into my worldview and philosophy of care. I believe in holistic care that integrates different aspects of an individual\u2019s foundation, especially cultural, spiritual and religious components. As observed, the organization promotes the reshaping of healthcare delivery with aligns with efforts to reform care provision in current healthcare environment. membership to the organization will enhance my practice as it will provide an opportunity to interact with nurse leaders, gain new skills and approaches and voice concerns to improve care delivery in clinical settings and practice environment.<\/p>\n

Controversial or Evolving Issue to Affect Scope of Practice or Role<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The evolving controversial issue in nursing profession remains the need to have expanded practice or full authority for nurse practitioners. With more than half of states in the country granting full practice authority, nurses and professional associations continue to advocate for increased authority so that nurses become equal partners in primary care provision to meet the increasing demands. Full practice authority will allow nurse leaders to offer effective leadership direction for nurse practitioners and increase their roles and scope to evaluate, diagnose and order as well as interpret diagnostic tests and provide treatment (Chesney & Duderstadt, 2017). Through the expanded authority, nurses can prescribe medications based on state regulations.<\/p>\n

Legislations in different states continue to restrict or reduce the scope of practice for nurse. Secondly, the fight between medical associations and nursing organizations remains a core aspect of the current issue on the need to grant full practice authority.<\/p>\n

Increasing healthcare demands and a physician shortage should be essential factors that legislations consider in granting full practice authority. Allowing nurse practitioners and leaders to practice independently will address some of these issues (Dillon & Gary, 2017). State boards should set programs to enable transition by practitioners, especially newly graduated nurses. The key to successful transition is to understand when a nurse can turn to in time of need and their capabilities.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The increasing role of nurses implore health care entities and organizations to appreciate their critical part in care delivery and provision. Future scope of practice for nurse leaders is to enhance quality care delivery and use evidence-based practice interventions. Professional associations are an essential component of better care delivery in all settings for nurse practitioners and leaders in their future roles.<\/p>\n

A Sample Answer 2 For the Assignment: NUR 590 Week 8 Benchmark Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Title: NUR 590 Week 8 Benchmark Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper<\/strong><\/h2>\n

It is crucial to acknowledge that fact that the advanced registered nursing profession has been forced to advance under the dynamic legislations being witnessed in the entire health care sector. The main matter at hand is the dramatic changes towards ensuring the provision of quality services to the patients and entire public. Consequently, professional nursing organizations have been very resourceful and supportive in making sure that all nurses are equipped with adequate skills and experiences necessary n ensuring that the patients receive high-quality care for health promotion (Rantz et al.,<\/em> 2018). The public healthcare system has also ensured that most nurses direct their potentials and professional qualifications towards promoting the health of the community to decrease the current morbidity and mortality rates being experienced. Furthermore, professional nursing organizations have been key players in ensuring that nursing specialists enhance their roles and efforts in line with the expanding scope of practice to better the service provider of the healthcare system in the future. In that context, this paper is set to explore the current efforts being made towards expanding the scope of practice of advanced nurses and the positive impacts exhibited to the healthcare system.<\/p>\n

Scope of Practice<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) certified by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) it is worth acknowledging that my scope of practice in future will be to ensure quality care delivery in promoting public healthcare. An Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) must have a master or post-master’s certificate or should have a practice-focused doctor of nursing practice degree in any of the four main specific roles. Once certified as a registered nurse, all the skills learned and acquired through the practicum experience and training will be utilized in rendering correct treatment to the patients, for health promotion and quality of life. Consequently, it is worth acknowledging that the APRN defines the scope of practice of a nurse practitioner in a very unique manner. An APRN, especially in my case, is of the mandate to oversee that the care provided towards the public is cost-effective and making sure that all the obstacles and limitations are addressed appropriately for future advancements (Farrell, Payne, & Heye, 2015). Nevertheless, eliminating regulatory obstacles and limitations has been fundamental especially in allowing nurses to maximally utilize skills, experience, knowledge, and judgment in their day to day roles in line with what they have acquired through practicum experience and training. As such, all the time and finances invested towards my training will not go in vain, as I will ensure that I apply all the knowledge, skills and experience that I have gained to make sure that I provide enhanced healthcare services and promote the health and wellness of the general public.<\/p>\n

Professional Nursing Organizations<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The journey towards the advancement of the scope of advanced nursing practice, especially towards public health, has been influenced by the existence of several professional nursing organizations that have enunciated the certification of nurses on basis of high quality, adequate and effective training. The chief objective of these professional bodies has been towards ensuring a massive transformation of the public health care systems as a witness of the provision of only cost-effective high-quality services to the public. One of the key players in the American Nurses Association (ANA), which has worked very hard in enhancing advanced nursing practice in the United States (Smith, Morin, & Lake, 2017). It is one of the most popular professional organizations that most Registered Nurses enroll to be part of to advance their profession and realize their future goals. This organization is committed towards the provision of quality care in addition to sharing and upholding strong ethical values. The ANA\u2019s operations have been based on the belief that professional development is a crucial aspect in preparing nurses through a lifelong learning experience and training where educators ensure that nurses acquire adequate professional skills and training in the nursing practice, which will help them exhibit appropriate competence and achievements towards their career goals. This ideology has been effective in advancing the nursing scope and generally improving the quality of healthcare services at affordable costs to the public in the United States.<\/p>\n

Apart from the ANA, the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) and the National League for Nursing (NLN) have shared a common objective towards enhancing the scope of nursing practice and improving the quality of healthcare provided to the public (Smith, Morin, & Lake, 2017). These two organizations have taken the forefront in actively campaigning towards making the nursing profession better and efficient. They both have been advocating for the endorsement of improved training services aimed at providing nurses with adequate and appropriate skills, which will benefit in enhancing the provision of high-quality services to the public. Generally, all the three organizations, among others not mentioned in this paper have played a central role in ensuring unity among all nurses, localizing their voices towards advancement from the public healthcare sector and the government at large in promoting nursing as a profession (Halcomb et al., <\/em>2016). This has ensured that the patient-nurse ratio has reduced to ensure that all the trained nurses attain jobs, and all the patients receive timely quality care at affordable costs. Nevertheless, members of these organizations have been provided with appropriate certification opportunities, education forums, role-related competencies, and scholarships to ensure they advance their profession through thorough training. Even though membership is open to all nurses, the main basis for membership of the National League for Nursing comes in the form of agency membership through the nursing schools. The primary role of the National League for Nursing as a professional organization is to accredit nursing schools over a self-study process of learning. Accreditation by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing displays whether the school meets the required standards.<\/p>\n

The American Nurses Association (ANA) is one of the most iconic organizations focused on fighting for the nurses’ rights in the United States. Time and again, the organization has allotted statements aimed at advocating for the nursing community as a whole. Besides, ANA has supported the incorporation of evidence-based practice among members of this organization, which is a vital element in enhancing nursing practice professionalism. Moreover, ANA has taken the mandate of offering nursing training services to its members and in addition to availing certification opportunities. As such, with my dream of advancing the public healthcare system, I would not hesitate to join this organization to be able to take part in ensuring that the rights of nurses are well advocated for and that I attain effective training in providing public healthcare services (Smolowitz et al<\/em>., 2015). In addition, putting into consideration that ANA promotes nursing professional development as a lifelong phase of learning process to ensure that high competence is obtained, I believe I would maximally benefit from it as I believe it is my obligation to offer high-quality services to promote patient health and wellness. Generally, the ANA ensures that all of its members get adequate training and act in accordance with the set standards of nursing.<\/p>\n

Evolving Issues<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Despite the determinations and struggles to enhance advanced nursing practice, there have been several controversial issues which have been instrumental in putting up drawbacks towards expanding the nursing scope of practice. The inadequate available educational programs which are crucial in ensuring that nurses are adequately trained and equipped with the expertise necessary to handle the patients have been undermining nurses from exploiting their full potentials. This is mainly because an enormous investment is required to guarantee that different education programs are set in various learning institutions to enhance nursing training. In a broader perspective, the extensive costs of equipment and resources, such as the current expensive online training programs may affect the role of the nurses in the next few years (Goudreau, & Smolenski, 2018). This might greatly impact the stakeholders and the nursing profession negatively as the number of registered nurses will not be sufficient enough to serve the entire public. As such, the relevant stakeholders should mobilize the allocation of resources towards enhancing nursing training at an affordable cost by creating more institutions with adequate resources to produce qualified nurses to meet the current developing public healthcare demands.<\/p>\n

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References<\/h2>\n

Farrell, K., Payne, C., & Heye, M. (2015). Integrating Interprofessional Collaboration Skills into the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Socialization Process. Journal of Professional Nursing, 31, <\/em>1, 5-10.<\/p>\n

Goudreau, K. A., & Smolenski, M. C. (2018). Health policy and advanced practice nursing: Impact and implications<\/em>. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company, LLC.<\/p>\n

Halcomb, E., Stephens, M., Ashley, C., Bryce, J., Foley, E., & Ashley, C. (2016). Nursing competency standards in primary health care: An integrative review. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 25, <\/em>1193-1205.<\/p>\n

Rantz, M. J., Popejoy, L., Vogelsmeier, A., Galambos, C., Alexander, G., Flesner, M., Murray, C., … Petroski, G. (2018). Impact of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses on Quality Measures: The Missouri Quality Initiative Experience. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 19( <\/em>6), 541-550.<\/p>\n

Smith, J. G., Morin, K. H., & Lake, E. T. (2017). Association of the nurse work environment with nurse incivility in hospitals<\/em>. (Journal of nursing management.)<\/p>\n

Smolowitz, J., Speakman, E., Wojnar, D., Whelan, E. M., Ulrich, S., Hayes, C., & Wood, L. (2015). Role of the registered nurse in primary health care: Meeting health care needs in the 21st century. Nursing Outlook, 63, <\/em>2, 130-136.<\/p>\n