Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Professional Development Plan
Advanced practice nurses (APN’s) are a vital part of the health care system in the United States. APN’s are highly trained registered nurses with either a master’s degree or doctorate degree in nursing. The expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies allow APN’s to handle more complex cases with greater independence. There are 4 main practice roles of specialization within nursing. Whether a nurse practitioner (NP), clinical nurse specialist (CNS), certified nurse anesthetist (CRNA), or a certified nurse midwife (CNM), each play a crucial role in the future of health care. Although each role requires different training and skills, they are equally complex and require high levels of critical thinking, decision-making, and independence (Hanlon, 2015).
It is important for a NP to understand the different roles of an APN and utilize the knowledge and skills to develop a professional development plan (PDP). This paper will discuss the APN scope of practice in the state of Florida, a personal assessment reflecting strengths, weaknesses, goals, and objectives, strategies for networking and marketing, a Curriculum vitae, and concluding with a summary of important aspects of the APN professional development plan.
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Advance Practice Nurse Scope of Practice – State of Florida
APN practice is defined by the Nurse Practice Act and governed by the Board of Nursing. There are laws and regulations that may impact practice, for example, the location where one practices. NP’s must take into account each state’s rules and regulations that guide advance practice. The definition of the role and scope of practice guidelines for a NP vary from state to state. It is understandable that state definitions may convey confusion related to the role separation, competency, emphasis, approach, and variation of a CNP. As advanced practice roles proliferate, the importance of role clarity is essential. Clear understanding of practice is imperative for nursing to have an impact on the provision of health services.Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Professional Development Plan.
The state of Florida defines the role of a CNP as “any person licensed in this state to practice professional nursing and certified in advanced or specialized nursing practice, including certified registered nurse anesthetists, certified nurse mid-wives, and nurse practitioners” (Buppert, 2015). To become certified as a NP in Florida, one must hold a valid registered nurse license with a Bachelors Degree in Science recognized by the Board of Nursing. Once enrolled in a NP program, either online or on-campus, part-time or full-time, then 36-60 credits are required to be completed. A minimum of 500 clinical hours is required in order to take the national certification exam (McClelland, 2014). Coursework covers advance practices including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pediatrics, family or primary care, gerontology, and health systems management.
Florida is a restricted state. In Florida, NP’s have struggled for years to move from restricted practice and to full practice independence. Reasons cited were sent to the Florida Medical Association opposing the Independent Advanced Practice Registered Nurse bill. The reasons were: major differences in education between NP’s and physicians, concerns regarding NP’s ability to prescribe controlled substances and narcotics safely, shortage of physicians (initiative support to increase the number of physicians in each state), shortage of nurses (affecting the future nursing workforce), inability to control healthcare costs, and lack of physician oversight (Hain & Fleck, 2014).
Personal Assessment
My short term goals include: graduating from Chamberlain University as a Masters of Science in Nursing prepared Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, become Board Certified as a Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, and begin practicing as a Family Nurse Practitioner full time. Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Professional Development Plan.
My long term goals include: continuing to expand my knowledge and skills as a health care provider through continuing education opportunities in order to provide acute, chronic, and preventative care for all aged patients, and to continue to strive to be a leader, potentially pursuing a Doctorate in Nursing. Advance Practice Nurse (APN) Professional Development Plan
Networking and Marketing Strategies
Conclusion
Reference
Buppert, C. (2015). Nurse practitioner’s business practice & legal guide (5th ed.). Retrieved from http://bookshelf.vitalsource.com
Hain, D. & Fleck L. M. (2014). Barriers to NP practice that impact healthcare redesign. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing. Retrieved from www.nursingworld.org
Hanlon, A. (2015). Improving healthcare outcomes and accessibility in the USA: The advanced
practice nurse. Obzornik Zdravstvene Nege, 49(2), 84-89. doi:10.14528/snr.2015.49.2.64
McClelland, M. (2014). A guide to advanced practice registered nurse roles. Medsurg Nursing, 10-14.