Posted: February 11th, 2024

Duties and responsibilities of nurse practitioners

Nurse Practitioners
A nurse practitioner (NP), also referred to as an advanced nurse practitioner (APN) is a registered nurse (RN) who has advanced education and additional training in a particular nursing specialty like adult gerontology, pediatrics, and family practice. This advanced training typically involves completing a master’s or doctoral degree program in nursing. NPs can also subspecialize further in other more specific areas focusing on specific conditions like dermatology, psychiatry, oncology, and cardiovascular health. These subspecialties allow NPs to provide highly specialized care in niche areas of healthcare.

Duties and responsibilities of nurse practitioners
Because of their advanced skills, nurse practitioners are granted more authority and are tasked with more complex responsibilities regarding patient care than registered nurses. This increased autonomy allows NPs to play a crucial role in bridging the gap between nursing and medical care. Among the primary duties of an NP include diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, conducting physical exams, and providing advanced medical treatments like a regular doctor. These responsibilities make NPs valuable assets in various healthcare settings, especially in areas with physician shortages. However, even though NPs have more authority than RNs, most states require that they practice under the supervision of a doctor. The level of supervision required varies by state, with some allowing NPs to practice independently. Apart from diagnosing illnesses and developing treatment plans, NPs are first and foremost, nurses, which means they also perform typical nursing duties, including disease prevention and patient education. This holistic approach to care often results in high patient satisfaction and improved health outcomes.

Specialization programs option for a nurse practitioner
A nurse practitioner can work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, home-based care, nursing homes, and personal practice. This versatility makes NPs highly sought after in diverse healthcare environments. Some of the most common areas of specialization for nurse practitioners include gerontology, neonatal care, psychiatry, pediatrics, family medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, and acute care. Each specialization requires additional training and certification, allowing NPs to become experts in their chosen field.

How to become a nurse practitioner
The educational path to becoming a nurse practitioner can be quite demanding. This rigorous education ensures that NPs are well-prepared for their advanced roles in healthcare. The first step is to become a registered nurse by earning your bachelor’s in nursing (BSN), associate’s degree, or a nursing diploma. These foundational programs provide the necessary clinical and theoretical knowledge for nursing practice. You must also pass the NCLEX-RN exams to become a registered nurse. This licensing exam tests the knowledge and skills necessary for entry-level nursing practice. However, a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) is the minimum requirement of becoming an NP. Many NP programs are now transitioning to Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degrees, offering even more advanced education. Most MSN programs require a nurse to have a BSN for admission and therefore, those with an MSN are required to obtain a BSN. Some universities offer RN-to-MSN bridge programs for nurses with associate degrees or diplomas.

Upon achieving your MSN, you can proceed to apply for a nurse practitioner program. These programs typically take 2-3 years to complete and include both coursework and clinical practice hours. Some people also opt to specialize while practising as RNs. This approach allows nurses to gain valuable clinical experience before advancing their education. However, it is advisable to first practice for a few years and acquire clinical expertise before enrollment. This experience can provide valuable insights and help nurses choose their preferred specialization. When picking an NP program, ensure it is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Accreditation ensures that the program meets high educational standards and prepares students adequately for practice. The final stage is seeking certification by completing both national and state-specific certification and licensure requirements after which you will be considered competent to begin practice as a nurse practitioner. Certification typically involves passing a comprehensive exam in the chosen specialty area.

Nurse practitioners are important players in health care delivery. Their advanced training and ability to provide both nursing and medical care make them invaluable in today’s healthcare landscape. The already high demand for NPs in the job market across all specialties is also expected to increase significantly in the next ten years, thanks to the advanced training and high level of competency. This growing demand is partly due to the increasing focus on preventive care and the need for cost-effective healthcare solutions.

Now, let me search for two recent scholarly references to add to the existing ones.

Based on the search results, I’ll add two recent scholarly references to the existing list:

References
Forsberg, I., Swartwout, K., Murphy, M., Danko, K., & Delaney, K. R. (2015). Nurse practitioner education: Greater demand, reduced training opportunities. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 27(2), 66-71.

Kandrack, R., Barnes, H., & Martsolf, G. R. (2019). Nurse practitioner scope of practice regulations and nurse practitioner supply. Medical Care Research and Review, 1077558719888424.

Thomas, A., Crabtree, M. K., Delaney, K., Dumas, M. A., Kleinpell, R., Marfell, J., & Wolf, A. (2017). Nurse practitioner core competencies content. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties.

McMenamin, A., Fealy, G., Diffley, L., Nolan, C., & Keogh, B. (2023). A Systematic Review of Outcomes Related to Nurse Practitioner Primary Care Models. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 35(1), 70-83.

Elvidge, N., Lafortune, C., Oliffe, J. L., & Merrick, E. (2024). Practice pathways, education, and regulation influencing nurse practitioners’ decision to provide primary care: a rapid scoping review. BMC Primary Care, 25(1), 19.

Order | Check Discount

Tags: Advanced Nursing Education, Healthcare Specialization, Nurse Practitioners (NPs)