A Nurse Practitioner/Advance Practice Nurse is a registered nurse
who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making
skill and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the
characteristics of which are shaped by the context. and or country
in which she is credentialed to practice. A masters degree is
recommended for entry level.Anadvanced practice registered nurse
(APRN)is a nurse with advanced didactic and clinical education,
knowledge, skills, and scope of practice innursing.[1]APRN defines
a level of nursing practice that utilizes extended and expanded
skills, experience and knowledge in assessment, planning,
implementation, diagnosis and evaluation of the care required.
Nurses practicing at this level are educationally prepared at
thepost-graduate level and may work in either
aspecialistorgeneralistcapacity. However, the basis of advanced
practice is the high degree of knowledge, skill and experience that
is applied within the nurse-patient/client relationship to achieve
optimal outcomes through critical analysis, problem solving
andevidenced baseddecision making.
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APRNs demonstrate effective integration of theory, practice and
experiences along with increasing degrees of autonomy in judgments
and interventions. Intensivepost-graduateeducation is designed to
teach an APN to use multiple approaches todecision-making, manage
the care of individuals and groups, engage in collaborative
practices with the patient or client to achieve best outcomes;
provide a supportive environment for colleagues; manage the
utilization of staff and physical resources; engage in ethically
justifiable nursing practice; protect the rights of individuals and
groups; engage in activities to improve nursing practice; develop
therapeutic and caring relationships; fulfill the conduct
requirements of the profession; act to enhance the professional
development of self; and function in accordance with legislation
and common law affecting nursing practice.[2
Role of Advance Practice Nurses
An advanced practice nurse (APN) has completed training beyond
that of basic nursing. Such training includes nurse anesthetist,
nurse midwife, nurse practitioner or clinical nurse specialist.
Advance practice nurses are certified and meet the requirements
established by the Board of Nursing.An advanced practice nurse's
role includes writing prescriptions, administering anesthesia,
interpreting lab results, and diagnosing treatment of acute
illnesses or injuries.
Writing PrescriptionsAPN have authority to write prescriptions
for patients.Administer AnesthesiaThis role allows the nurse to
perform an assessment to determine if the anesthesia is
necessaryInterpret laboratory and X-ray.When a patient has lab work
performed, including blood work or X-rays, it is the role of the
advanced practice nurse to review, analyze and interpret the lab
results.Treatment An advanced practice nurse may be able to
diagnose treatment of common acute illnesses or injuries
Advanced practice nurses have the authority to write
prescriptions for patients. APNs may assume this role because they
have undergone the specialized training and are certified. However,
in the Philippines the writing of prescription for patients not
practiced although we have already adapt the idea of entering
Georgia is the only state that does not allow APNs to prescribe or
write prescriptions.
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Clinical Nurse Specialist
Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS) are Advanced Practice nurses who
hold a masters or doctoral degree in a specialized area of nursing
practice. Their area of clinical expertise may be in:a population
(e.g. pediatrics, geriatrics, womens health);a setting (e.g.
critical care, emergency room);a disease or medical subspecialty
(e.g. diabetes, oncology);a type of care (e.g. psychiatric,
rehabilitation); ora type of health problem (e.g. pain, wounds,
stress).In addition to the conventional nursing responsibilities
which focus upon helping patients to prevent or resolve illness, a
CNS scope of practice includes diagnosing and treating diseases,
injuries and/or disabilities within his/her field of expertise.
Clinical Nurse Specialists provide direct patient care, serve as
expert consultants for nursing staffs, and take an active hand in
improving health care delivery systems.
Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are Advanced Practice Nurses whoprovide
care to patients throughout the lifespan, from premature newborns
to the elderly.They perform comprehensive and focused physical
examinations; diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and
injuries; provide immunizations; manage high blood pressure,
diabetes, depression and other chronic health problems; order and
interpret diagnostic tests such as X-Rays and EKGs, as well as
laboratory tests; prescribe medications and therapies, perform
procedures, and educate and counsel patients and their families
regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options.NPs can
prescribe medications, including controlled substances, in all 50
states. In 25 states, NPs have authority to practice
independently.
Nurse Educator
Nurse educators are registered nurses with advanced education who
are also teachers. Most work as nurses for a period of time before
dedicating their careers (part-time or full-time) to educating
future nurses.Nurse educators serve as faculty members in nursing
schools and teaching hospitals, sharing their knowledge and skills
to prepare the next generation of nurses for effective practice.
They develop lesson plans, teach courses, evaluate educational
programs, oversee students clinical practice and serve as role
models for their students. They may teach general courses or focus
on areas of specialization, such as geriatric nursing, pediatric
nursing or nursing informatics.
Most nurse educators have extensive clinical experience, and
many continue caring for patients after becoming educators. Even if
they no longer practice, nurse educators must stay current with new
nursing methods and technologies. This means nurse educators are
always on the leading edge of clinical practice.With experience,
nurse educators may advance to administrative roles, managing nurse
education programs, writing or reviewing textbooks, and developing
continuing education programs for working nurses.
Nurse Administrator Description
A nurse administrator is the most senior nurse in a hospital,
overseeing the care delivery for patients on all nursing units.
Also known as a chief nursing officer or chief nurse executive, a
nurse administrator fills an increasingly important role as health
care systems evolve.
HistoryTwenty years ago, the director of nursing (DON) was the
most senior nurse in a hospital, responsible solely for nursing
care. As hospital leaders gained a better appreciation of the role
nurses play in patient outcomes, the DON took on a broader
responsibility for all aspects of patient care and assumed the
title of nurse administrator.
FunctionsA nurse administrator establishes effective patient
care delivery systems, ensures continuous quality improvement in
patient care, and represents nursing as a member of the senior
leadership team when decisions are made.HierarchyThe nurse
administrator directly supervises nurse managers or directors for
individual nursing units. She typically reports to the chief
executive officer (CEO) of the hospital.
SkillsA nurse administrator has a sound clinical knowledge
base, solid fiscal management skills, and the ability to establish
and maintain effective interpersonal relationships across the
organization.QualificationsA nurse administrator is a registered
nurse (RN), and many hospitals require an advanced degree in
nursing (MSN) or business (MBA).
Thank you!!!THAT IN ALL THINGS GOD MAY BE GLORIFIED!
