Discussion – Week 10
After being a bedside nurse for a decade, I can say that I have seen almost everything. Becoming a nurse practitioner was never in the picture. I recently just finished my Master’s in Nursing in Leadership last October and I was questioning myself if I want to go back to school and continue my education and get my Doctorate degree, but I honestly know within myself that I was not ready for it. Choosing the right course was difficult because I must weigh down all factors. I have a full-time job and currently taking care of a toddler on my free time and going back to school to take an NP course is way more competitive than my previous course, which was Leadership in Nursing. These two are two different areas in nursing but it was when I started my career in travel nursing that I appreciate what advanced practice nurses do. That was the eyeopener for me and prompted me to investigate a program for nurse practitioners. Choosing which type of NP was also a struggle. I have talked to different NPs and asked them what they do in a daily basis until I narrowed down my choices between Adult – Gerontology NP and Mental Health NP. I have never worked with pediatrics, nor mental health, so it was just fitting for me to go for the route of being an Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, since most of my experiences is with medical-surgical and critical care. With the encouragement of my family and peers, I finally got myself into graduate school (for the second time) that is why I am here. I was also told by peers that I have the “brains” to think outside the box and be a great advanced practice nurse. With God’s grace, I will be able to pass all hurdles that will be thrown in my path. Though I know it will not be an easy journey, but I know with the people surrounding me, I will and can do it.
An organization that I was planning to be a part of after becoming an NP is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This organization’s mission is to “empower all NPs to advance accessible, person-centered, equitable, high-quality health care for diverse communities through practice, education, advocacy, research and leadership”. As a fresh NP, I will need all the necessary resources that can help me through my first few years of being an NP and this organization shared my personal mission which is to expand health care to diverse communities and to those who are not able to access care. This organization can also serve as a network for other NPs to converge and share new ideas that can help in innovating health care. As a part of this organization, members can have access to a comprehensive library of quality CE activities for NPs of all specialties and experience levels for free or at a minimal cost.
AANP. (n.d.) About the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved from: About the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP). Accessed on August 1, 2022.
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Hazel,
How could your professional organization affiliation allow you to stay abreast of the latest research, which may impact your practice?
Good post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Anh Nguyen
RE: First response – Week 10
Hi Hazel,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I applaud your commitment to returning to school for the nurse practitioner program after just finishing the other program. It shows your commitment to nursing and your passion for serving others. As you mentioned that the adult-gerontology NP is the track you want to pursue, I am unsure whether you wish to continue with acute care or change the focus to the primary care population. It sounds like you still want to continue to care for acutely ill patients in inpatient settings. From your experiences working with critical care and medical-surgical patients, acute care nurse practitioner seems to be a good fit if that is what you are inclined to do. Other options of work settings for acute care providers other than hospitals include emergency rooms, surgical centers, and urgent care settings (Walden University, n.d., p. 7). Primary care practitioners are not the only growing demand for outpatient settings; acute care NPs are also growing in demand as patients look for quality patient care and better outcome in hospital settings (Kapu, 2021, p. 4). Acute care nurse practitioners also function as “coordinators” of care advocating for patients while working with other members of the multidisciplinary team (Kapu, 2021, p. 4). I am sure you are familiar with the “coordinator” picture of an acute care NPs from your ICU experience. Each track has its own challenges and your commitment to continuing with the nurse practitioner program would help you to overcome those challenges and become a competent advanced practitioner.
References
Kapu, A. (2021). Origin and Outcomes of Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Practice. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 51(1), 4–5. https://doi.org/10.1097/NNA.0000000000000957
Walden University. (n. d.). College of Nursing Practicum Manual: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate Program. Retrieved August 2, 2022 from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=45260984
4 months ago
Diana Wendell
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Response:
Hi Hazel,
What a journey you have had through your career! It seems to me that you are dedicated to your professional growth and are passionate about nursing.
I am curious which population focus you have selected for adult-gerontology nurse practitioner. When I first decided I wanted to become an adult-gerontology nurse practitioner, I was unaware that we had to choose between two population foci—acute care or primary care. I now understand that selecting a population focus is necessary for regulatory purposes and consistency in standards of care (APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee, 2008).
You may enjoy the acute care nurse practitioner track with your experience in critical care and medical-surgical nursing. The acute care nurse practitioner provides clinical management for the patient facing an acute illness or a medical emergency for the duration of their hospitalization and coordinates follow-up care (Walden University, n.d.). Most acute care nurse practitioners work in hospitals or emergency departments (Walden University, n.d.). Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioners are also becoming more utilized in administration, research, and education (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2020) which you may be interested in knowing with your background in nursing leadership.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020, January 22). Are you considering a career as an adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner? https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-an-acute-care-nurse-practitioner
APRN Consensus Work Group & the National Council of State Boards of Nursing APRN Advisory Committee. (2008). Consensus model for APRN regulation: Licensure, accreditation, certification & education. Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/~4aa7d9/globalassets/certification/aprn_consensus_model_report_7-7-08.pdf
Walden University. (n.d.). Adult gerontology: Differences between acute and primary care nurse. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/resource/adult-gerontology-differences-between-acute-and-primary-care-nursing
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Class,
By Day 3 of Week 10 your initial post is due
By Day 6
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days
Thanks!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Ashton Johnson
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I am currently pursuing my master’s within the family nurse practitioner (FNP) track. I struggled for some time between becoming a FNP versus the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner (AGACNP) route. I was not entirely sure if I wanted to work in an outpatient or inpatient setting as a nurse practitioner. My nursing background has been ICU so I thought about pursuing the AGACNP to continue within the ICU specialty. However, after trying the outpatient urgent care setting, I realized I really enjoy that specialty and being in an outpatient setting. Another factor that went into my decision was that I also wanted to expand my role and be able to treat all ages instead of just adults. I thought that would be a good way to challenge myself since I have not worked much with children so far in my nursing career.
I have seen a few different professional nursing organizations that are affiliated with my chosen specialty of urgent care. One organization is called the Urgent Care Association. This organization offers memberships for entire clinics, individuals, and vendors (Memberships, n.d.). Individuals that can be included in the association include students within nursing programs which I found interesting (Memberships, n.d.). In order to join, an individual must pay $300 as a provider but students only have to pay $75 (Memberships, n.d.). Once an individual joins, they have access to an online library, educational opportunities, webinars, podcasts, newsletters, and much more (Memberships, n.d.).
A second organization that seems beneficial to those working within urgent care is the American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine (AAUCM). This organization is only for those working as providers working within the field such as physicians, physician associates, and nurse practitioners (Welcome to the AAUCM, n.d.). This organization costs $325 to join and when you join, you must fill out a questionnaire (Welcome to the AAUCM, n.d.). This organization also provides access to a multitude of resources relating to urgent care medicine such as different educational programs and credits for maintaining licensure (Welcome to the AAUCM, n.d.). Both of these mentioned organizations are ones I would be interested in joining after school.
Resources
American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. (n.d.). Welcome to the AAUCM. American Academy of Urgent Care Medicine. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://aaucm.org/
Urgent Care Association. (n.d.). Memberships. Urgent Care Association. Retrieved July 24, 2022, from https://www.ucaoa.org/
4 months ago
Nicole Emmerich
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Ashton,
I enjoyed reading your post and am happy for your decisions to further your education as it is no easy task. I found some information on an urgent care conference later this year that sounded interesting, I will link it below in references.
I also found a resource discussing ghat differences between the two specialties you listed. It was rather interesting to read actually, I definitely learned a few things!
7th Annual Emergency & Urgent Care Medicine for the Primary Care Provider Conference. (n.d.). cmemeeting.org. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://www.cmemeeting.org/cme-conferences/san-diego-california-emergency-cme
FNP VS. AGACNP: WHICH NURSE PRACTITIONER CAREER SHOULD I PURSUE? (n.d.). online.hpu.edu. Retrieved August 1, 2022, from https://online.hpu.edu/nursing/doctors-nursing-practice/bsn-to-dnp/careers/fnp-vs-agacnp/
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Ashton,
How will your affiliation with this association enhance your career? Could you find more job opportunities through networking within this association?
Great post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Ashton Johnson
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi Dr. Lewis,
Yes, I do feel that joining one or both of these professional organizations could assist with finding job opportunities through networking with other members. I feel that networking is one way the organizations could enhance my career. These organizations also provide many opportunities for conferences and other educational material where one can both learn and network with other individuals attending.
Ashton Johnson
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
chinwe chukwumerije
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Patricia Wharton
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner is the area of study in which I am now pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) (PMHNP). Protecting, optimizing, preventing, relieving, and encouraging well-being and advocacy are all part of the American Nursing Association’s (ANA) definition of nursing (Bickford et al., 2015). In line with these objectives, I became interested in nursing because I wanted to make a difference in the health of the people in my neighborhood on a population level. At Walden University’sview, MSN students must examine the health requirements of various groups and encourage improved results. I relied heavily on this idea when I decided on a career path. According to research, the Affordable Treatment Act has not improved access to mental health care for up to 20% of US individuals (Coombs et al., 2021).
Furthermore, the major obstacle to access is cost (Coombs et al., 2021). PMHNPs can deliver mental health treatments at lower prices than psychiatrists, which swayed my decision to become one (Chapman et al., 2018). My current place of employment is a mental health center for inmates. According to research, convicts are among the most underserved regarding access to mental health care services.
My work is still hampered by the lack of uniformity in state regulation regarding the practice of PMNHPs. Many states, including mine, require physician supervision for PMNHP practice and prescription despite ample evidence that they are competent to do it independently (Chapman et al., 2018). On the other hand, nursing organizations are working hard to promote the autonomy of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNS). The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is one organization that pertains to PMHNPs. PMHNPs may benefit from this organization’s resources, such as networking events, mentoring, and continuing education. Regular, affiliate, international, retired, and student memberships each have their benefits and responsibilities, as do affiliate, international, and student memberships. A registered nurse may vote and participate on committees, but he or she cannot be elected to the board of directors because of the restrictions above. Every time they renew, their status as student members will have to be re-verified. By the ANA’s professional performance criteria, joining a relevant professional organization is a good idea. Students who are enrolled full-time in a nursing degree program are considered student members and pay a monthly fee of $25 to join.
References
Bickford, C. J., Marion, L., & Gazaway, S. (2015). Nursing: Scope and standards of practice, third edition, 2015. The American Nurses Association.http://ebooks.iospress.nl/publication/12524
Chapman, S. A., Phoenix, B. J., Hahn, T. E., & Strod, D. C. (2018). Utilization and economic contribution of psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners in public behavioral health services. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 54(6), S243-S249. https://www.ajpmonline.org/article/S0749-3797(18)31603-9/fulltext
Coombs, N. C., Meriwether, W. E., Caringi, J., & Newcomer, S. R. (2021). Barriers to healthcare access among US adults with mental health challenges: A population-based study. SSM-Population Health, 15, 100847. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8214217/
4 months ago
Jessica Jarosky
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hello Patricia,
I, as well, am enrolled in the PMHNP-MSN program. I have always been interested in mental health and began working at a psychiatric hospital right out of high school. My hospital does yearly National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) walks that aim to build mental health awareness and raise funds for mental health programs throughout our community. NAMI is a non-profit professional organization with the goal of destigmatizing mental health and providing resources to individuals and their families struggling with mental illness (NAMI, 2022, para. 2-4). As practitioners, NAMI will be a great resource we refer our patients to. NAMI has online forums and discussions to participate in, as well as free psychotherapy skills to learn via online videos. As you said, if you want to make a difference within your neighborhood, NAMI could be of great benefit to your community!
Another organization that may benefit you as a practitioner is the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). This organization is dedicated to helping psychiatric nurses on all levels to serve the best care possible to their patients and clients. APNA aims to promote mental health assessments, diagnoses, care, treatment, prevention, and education for all struggling with a mental illness (APNA, 2021, para. 1-2). As a member, you can access copious resources and tools at your disposal. They have discounted continuing education classes and networking opportunities to connect with fellow psychiatric nurses. I highly recommend looking at their website if you haven’t done so already! Great post, and thank you for your insight!
References
APNA. (2021, September 8). About Association for Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health. American Psychiatric Nurses Association. Retrieved August 4, 2022, from https://www.apna.org/about-apna/?pageid=3277
NAMI. (2022). NAMIWalks Your Way. Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.namiwalks.org/index.cfm?notification=error&key=message_invalideventid
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Patricia,
What does the ANA signify to you? Should you include your professional affiliation in your resume and/or CV?
Great post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
chinwe chukwumerije
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I worked as a clinical RN in the Medical ICU, Medical-Surgical units, home health, and Custody Medical unit. So, it was hard for me to choose a specialty. I know I will someday get my master’s as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). Still, I could not decide which one; going into research studies as a nursing research colleague in diabetic management was my first inclination. I thought I would get my master’s in public health administration when I finished nursing school would be great because I like educating the public on health care issues. After the onset of covid and covid its aftermath, I know many people that had mental breakdowns due to lockdowns, isolation, and some due to the loss of loved ones. That was when the light ball went up, and I decided to specialize in Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) at Walden university because as A Mental health nurse practitioner, I will Learn to assess, diagnose, provide therapy, and prescribe medications for patients with psychiatric disorders, medical organic brain disorders, and substance abuse problems(waldenu.edu). I chose this path out of compassion and a genuine desire to practice in the field I am comfortable and passionate about. I know I will be a resource to the community. I noticed firsthand people diagnosed with mental health, especially depression, and a lot with no one to talk to; I believe I can use the expertise that I will acquire from my specialty to help patients alleviate their mental woes.
Everyone deserves to be mentally sound, as CDC describes mental health as an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being (APNA,2022). Sound mental health includes how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. (cdc.gov). In the USA today, the mental health crisis is at all-time high Mental illnesses are common in the United States. Nearly one in five U.S. adults have a mental illness (52.9 million in 2020) (NIH .gov). This statistic is scary because, in one’s adult life, one goes through at least one major source of mental breakdowns like loss of a lost one, sickness, and life crisis.
I joined the nursing network, a professional nurse’s organization that includes registered nurses and Advance Practice Nurse practitioners. This organization specializes in educating members through seminars and conferences; it helps in networking opportunities, job finding, and career acceleration; the most useful for me and my chosen specialization of PMHNP student at this stage in my career is that they help members find mentorship when they need it. They offer discounts and all kinds of research and evidence-based practice in all the nursing fields.
Another nursing association I am looking into joining is the American Nurses Association (ANA); they are a political powerhouse, lobbying on matters that concern their members and patient care using evidence-based practice in line with the scope and standard of practice (ANA public health nursing scope,2013).
References
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
https://www.nursingworld.org/resources/individual/networking/
https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (n.d.). Retrieved on July 31, 2022 from https://www.apna.org/
Mental Health – Home Page – CDC. (2018, January 26). Retrieved November 03, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/mentalhealth/
ANA PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING: SCOPE; STANDARDS WORKGROUP. Public Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition. Silver Spring, Md: American Nurses Association, 2013. v. 2nd edISBN 9781558104907. Disponível em: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=shib&db=nlebk&AN=647105&site=ehost-live&scope=site. Acesso em: 2 ago. 2022.
4 months ago
Nicole Emmerich
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Chinwe,
I enjoyed your post and wow, you have had such great experience in nursing! I have found another great site regarding mental health you may be familiar with in the references. I also found and I am thinking of joining a PMHNP association, linked below.
(n.d.). https://napmhnp.enpnetwork.com/. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://napmhnp.enpnetwork.com/
(n.d.). nami.org. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://nami.org/Home
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Chinwe,
How do you plan to continue networking, after graduation? Nursing associations are great way to start!
Excellent post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
chinwe chukwumerije
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I am a member of RNPA and Nurses network. I intend to join a lot more to keep me current
4 months ago
Rachel Frye
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Examining Nurse Specialties
I had always wanted to be a nurse and have had a strong calling to be one for a long time. After finishing nursing school and working as a nurse, I realized that there might be more in store for me. My first few months as a RN was exhausting and I was questioning if I really wanted to continue. I love medicine and healthcare so I started broadening my scope of what my personal calling really meant. Being a nurse practitioner was always on the back of my mind, but I didn’t want to pursue that to begin with because I wanted to love being a bedside nurse. I started looking at NP programs and talk with other NPs to confirm this was my new calling. I started in an adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioner program because that it what I thought I wanted to work in. But after time of reflection, I realized that I wanted to be able to work with all ages in the outpatient setting, so I transferred to Walden in order to complete the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Within the FNP specialty, there are opportunities to work in women’s health, pediatrics, and family care.
The job growth of Nurse Practitioners is rising much faster than average jobs at around 45% according the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2022). NPs are also ranked as number one in best health care jobs according to U.S. News (n.d.). The American Association of Nurse Practitioners is one I plan to join after becoming a NP. There is not specifically an association just for FNPs. The AANP has roughly 121,000 members (2022). Even though I am not a certified NP yet, you can still join as a student to gain access to all of the benefits that all members have. You will have access to clinical resources, development and further education, ability to attend conferences, and an array of discounts on travel related products and other services. Also with this membership, there are many opportunities to make connections with other NPs. I will plan to join once I am done with school!
References
AANP. (2022). AANP: The American Association of Nurse Practitioners. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.aanp.org/?gclid=CjwKCAjwlqOXBhBqEiwA-hhitBpFJEVkCh3u7evpt-R6jKnvQkc4Jd8ZDaTELM9uv-xTY3gzk6ZjThoCZ5UQAvD_BwE
Graves, J. (n.d.). Nurse practitioner ranks among best jobs of 2022 – US News Money. U.S News. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/nurse-practitioner
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2022, April 18). Nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and Nurse Practitioners : Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/nurse-anesthetists-nurse-midwives-and-nurse-practitioners.htm#tab-1
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Rachel,
How do you plan to continue networking, after graduation? A professional association will allow you to connect with others in your field of expertise.
Great post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Anh Nguyen
RE: Initial Discussion – Week 10
I started my first nursing job in the intensive care unit and have worked in the inpatient setting since then. I cared for the adult and elderly population in the hospital setting. When I decided to go back to school for the nurse practitioner program and had to pick a specialty, I was debating between primary care and acute care specialty. As I am more familiar with caring for patients in an acute care setting, choosing the acute care practitioner track seems reasonable for me to continue with acute care practice. On the other hand, I want to change the focus from acute care to primary care settings and learn the nursing care for patients in outpatient settings. Acute care program prepares students to work in an inpatient setting, and an outpatient setting is where primary care NPs practice (Walden University, n.d.). Primary care in outpatient settings seems to have more varieties in practice areas, whereas inpatient setting is the only option for acute care NPs. More options for primary care settings allow more opportunities to explore different primary care nursing areas. Acute care specialty does not allow for a change in practice without needing further education. I know several colleagues in other nurse practitioner programs, many of whom are doing the primary care track. They seemed to have an easier time finding clinical sites and preceptors than those on the acute care track. Those colleagues in my network are willing to be the resources for me when I need to look for clinical sites and preceptors in primary care practicum.
I currently have the CCRN certification for critical care nurses through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). With AACN membership, I could utilize their members’ resources, such as continuing education activities, discounts for conferences and certification renewal, and access to monthly journals online and in print. A professional organization offers many opportunities for members to maintain their skills and knowledge, including “synchronous and asynchronous webinars, self-study programs and journal access, to face-to-face seminars and conference opportunities” (Echevarria, 2018). The benefits of joining a professional nursing organization are valuable for nursing professional growth. Goolsby (2017) listed several professional organizations and outlined the benefits each offers, such as career opportunities, mentoring programs, grants and scholarships, national conferences, and practice resources (p. 436). As I am leaning toward the primary care specialty, I am not sure of a specific professional organization affiliated with my chosen specialty. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the professional organization for all nurse practitioners that I consider joining. AANP offers membership to current practicing nurse practitioners and students currently enrolled in nurse practitioner programs. I can join as a student member as I get further into the program. Even with a student membership, I can explore the valuable resources they offer students. Becoming familiar with a professional organization early allows me to fully utilize their resources to prepare me for an advanced practicing role.
References
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Goolsby, M. J. & DuBois, J. C. (2017). Professional organization membership. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29 (8), 434-440. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12483.
Walden University. (n. d.). College of Nursing Practicum Manual: Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Post-Master’s Certificate Program. Retrieved August 2, 2022 from https://academicguides.waldenu.edu/ld.php?content_id=45260984
4 months ago
Diana Wendell
RE: Initial Discussion – Week 10
Response:
Hi Anh,
Becoming a primary care nurse practitioner to expand your knowledge of outpatient nursing care sounds like a great way to promote professional and personal growth and development- kudos to you for seeing that and challenging yourself! I, too, have only known acute nursing care throughout my career, and I felt choosing the acute care nurse practitioner track would be the easier option. I had to reflect and evaluate why I decided to become a nurse practitioner. The primary care adult gerontological nurse practitioner develops and uses a long-term therapeutic relationship to educate and empower patients to prevent health deterioration and manage their chronic conditions (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2020; Walden University, n.d.). This is where my passion lies, so I have chosen this track.
Aside from the reasons you mentioned, what is important to consider by choosing to pursue the primary care nurse practitioner track is the predicted demand for primary care providers in the future (California Future Health Workforce Commission, 2019). As baby boomers retire, more healthcare professionals specialize in their care, and healthcare professionals leave the profession, a shortage of providers will occur, causing issues in access to primary care and affecting the health of the community (California Future Health Workforce Commission, 2019). In California, where I live, there is hope that we can close this gap in providers by passing legislation to allow nurse practitioners to practice without physician supervision (Stringer, 2022). This physician supervision requirement limits the nurse practitioner’s scope of practice and capabilities to manage patients, as fewer physicians become available to provide nurse practitioner oversight (Stringer, 2022). For me, choosing the primary care track makes me feel that I can give back to the profession and fill a gap that will impact the health of the community and population. I am also excited to see what the future for the primary care nurse practitioner holds in my state of residence.
References
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2020, June 17). Are you considering a career as an adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner? https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-career-as-an-adult-gerontology-primary-care-nurse-practitioner
California Future Health Workforce Commission. (2019). Meeting the demand for health: Final report of the California Future Health Workforce Commission. https://futurehealthworkforce.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MeetingDemandForHealthFinalReportCFHWC.pdf
Stringer, H. (2022, March 24). Provider shortage persists while regulators consider implementation of nurse practitioner law. California Health Care Foundation Blog. https://www.chcf.org/blog/provider-shortage-persists-regulators-mull-implementation-nurse-practitioner-law/#:~:text=Most%20states%20already%20allow%20NPs,are%20needed%20to%20meet%20demand.
Walden University. (n.d.). Adult gerontology: Differences between acute and primary care nurse. Retrieved July 27, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/resource/adult-gerontology-differences-between-acute-and-primary-care-nursing
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Initial Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Anh,
Your affiliation with a professional organization will allow you to continue expanding your network. Why is this important?
Excellent post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Jessica Jarosky
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I am enrolled in the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner MSN program here at Walden University. I’m happy to say this was an easy decision for me. Ever since turning 18 and being able to work in a psychiatric hospital, I have loved working in mental health. Now at 23 years old, I am so grateful to pursue my dream of becoming a nurse practitioner! Specializing in mental health was an easy decision for me as both my mom and sister work in mental health as well. We have all drifted towards mental health, likely stemming from experiencing mental health struggles first-hand with some of our closest family members and friends.
Before starting this program, I had some slight difficulty deciding if this was the right path for me since I had never worked in another specialty. The only experience I have outside mental health is from nursing school clinicals. During those clinicals, I really enjoyed my mother-baby rotation. I felt like this could be a specialty I could grow to love. However, I loved working at the hospital I already worked at and loved caring for mental health patients. It is the most rewarding outcome when patients come in acutely psychotic or depressed and are discharged back to being productive members of their community. It has always been a goal of mine to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, and I believe I can make an impact in my community once I graduate with my PMHNP. As Walden University (n.d.) states, COVID-19 has significantly increased many people’s anxiety and depression, leading them to substance abuse and suicide (para. 11). I have seen dozens of patients admitted for suicidal ideation due to the increased isolation they have felt during the pandemic. I believe as a PMHNP I will be able to expand access to care via telehealth to help care for the acutely mentally ill. I know I have made the right decision on this program, as mental health has always been a strong passion of mine, and I am looking forward to learning more about mental health disorders during this program.
One of the professional organizations I plan to affiliate with is the non-profit organization, National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). NAMI is a nationwide organization that supports people and their families struggling with mental health disorders by educating, supporting, listening, and advocating for all (NAMI, n.d.-a, para. 4-8). To become a NAMI member, you can create a free account to subscribe to all NAMI content, join in on online discussions, and get involved with advocating for societal change surrounding mental health. There is also an option to pay $40 for an individual membership to receive access to member-only content and access to the national convention at a premium rate (NAMI, n.d.-a, para. 2). I believe joining NAMI will be beneficial during my time as a student, as well as while I’m working as a PMHNP. NAMI can provide resources to my patients and support groups for any type of mental illness they are experiencing. NAMI can also educate patients on various psychotherapy and treatment modalities to further educate patients on how to cope with their illness. I believe NAMI will be a resource I refer my patients to when working as a practitioner because of all the support they can provide to anyone experiencing a crisis.
References
NAMI. (n.d.-a). Join NAMI. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/Join-NAMI
NAMI. (n.d.-b). What we do. National Alliance on Mental Illness. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.nami.org/About-NAMI/What-We-Do
Walden University. (n.d.). Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) Program. MSN Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. Retrieved August 2, 2022, from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/master-of-science-in-nursing/msn-psychiatric-mental-health-nurse-practitioner#outcomes
4 months ago
Rachel Frye
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Lawren Black
RE: Response #2 – Week 10
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Jessica Jarosky
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Lawren Black
RE: Discussion – Week 10
After starting my nursing career and working for over a year in a medical-surgical-telemetry unit, I went after my passion and dreams and started working in the emergency department. I fell in love with the idea that every day is different, a fast-paced unit, and all the traumas! However, when choosing to come to the emergency department, I did not take into account the patients that presented with psychiatric emergencies as well. Over the past few years, I have loved the psychiatric-mental health specialty, especially after losing a close friend to suicide in 2019. One in five Americans, or 14.2 million adults, live with mental illness, but only 9.1 million received treatment in 2020 (National Institute of Mental Health, n.d.). With so many Americans living with an “invisible” disease, choosing to advance my education and become a nurse practitioner specializing in the psychiatric-mental health field was not a difficult decision for me. By becoming a PMHNP, I strive to change the mental health and illness stigma and encourage everyone struggling to seek help and not be afraid of the judgment they may receive.
As a PMHNP, two professional organizations would benefit me if I became a member; the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) and the Association of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (APMHNP). Becoming a member of either organization is quite simple; both require one to apply either via mail, phone, or online and pay a small fee. Once the application and payment are delivered to the APNA organization, the staff will review the application and activate the membership. In addition, the APNA organization asks for a price of 25 dollars for full-time students or 135 dollars for regular members (APNA, n.d.). In comparison, the APMHNP, which serves the needs of PMHNPs, asks for 85 dollars for students and 120 dollars for nurse practitioners (Association of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners, n.d.).
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (n.d.). Rates & how to join or renew. Retrieved on August 1, 2022 from https://www.apna.org/
Association of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.). Join APMHNP!. Retrieved on August 2, 2022 from https://apmhnp.enpnetwork.com/page/37825-join-apmhnp
National Institute of Mental Health. (n.d.) Mental illness. Retrieved on August 1, 2022, from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Lawren,
How will your academic and professional networks impact your success, during your educational journey? Why is it necessary to continue to expand your networks? How will your professional organization allow you to continue to network?
Good post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
LOIDA THORNE
Response #2 Discussion – Week 10
Hi Lawren,
Great Post! I agree with you wanting to change the stigma of mental health illness by encouraging those struggling with mental health issues to seek professional help and not be afraid of the judgement of others. There are those that have a great need but do not seek mental health treatment because of the opinions of critics. Seeking help early on prevents mental health illness from becoming crucial. “A review of studies on stigma shows that while the public may accept the medical or genetic nature of a mental health disorder and the need for treatment, many people still have a negative view of those with mental illness” (American Psychiatric Association, 2020).
Reference
American Psychiatric Association. (2020). Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness. Retrieved from: Psychiatry.org – Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against People with Mental Illness
4 months ago
Michele Coffey
RE: Discussion – Week 10
During my nursing career I have had the opportunity to experience different areas of care. I have worked in Med/Surg, ED, Cath Lab, Neuro, and have landed in Geriatrics. Each area provided me with a unique experience and helped expand my knowledge based. However, this also taught me which areas I do not want to repeat. Earlier this year I decided I want to complete my MSN as a Psychiatric Mental Nurse Practitioner. Upon deciding to further my education, I didn’t consider another career path as I knew this was the one for me.
Working in geriatrics and the Emergency Department opened my eyes to the mental health challenges people face on a daily basis. Living in a very rural area access to mental health care is very limited. Patients in my area are driving up to three hours away to receive quality care for mental health issues, especially veterans. The closest veteran’s facility is thirty minutes away and it is only a clinic. For hospitalizations veterans are having to drive over two hours away. These reasons are the driving force behind my desire to continue my education. The veteran community holds a special place in my heart as these men and women have faced horrors to protect us, the very least I can do is work to help them receive the care they deserve. “Some research has suggested that approximately 14% to 16% of U.S. service members deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq have PTSD or depression. Although these mental health concerns are highlighted, other issues like suicide, traumatic brain injury (TBI), substance abuse, and interpersonal violence can be equally harmful in this population. The effects of these issues can be wide-reaching and substantially impacts service members and their families. While combat and deployments are linked to increased risks for these mental health conditions, general military service can also lead to difficulties (Inoue, Shawler, Jordan, & Jackson, 2022).” Recently the Veterans Health Administration’s (VHA) adoption of “full practice authority for nurse practitioners practice provides NPs with an expanded capacity to lead improvements in veterans’ health (Hobson & Curtis, 2017).”
As nurses we are taught to advocate for our patients. How better to become an advocate then to further our education to become better able to serve those in need. Mental health in America has been a taboo subject for far too long. We need to bring light to this topic to help those suffering be comfortable seeking the care they so desperately need. If my becoming a PMHNP helps save one life it will be worth every bit of effort I have put into it.
References
Inoue, C., Shawler, E., Jordan, C. H., & Jackson, C. A. (2022). Veteran and Military Mental Health Issues. In StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing.
Hobson, A., & Curtis, A. (2017). Improving the care of veterans: The role of nurse practitioners in team-based population health management. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 29(11), 644–650. https://doi.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12506
4 months ago
Lawren Black
RE: Response #1 – Week 10
Hi, Michele,
Great post! I have also worked in many different areas during my nursing career, but currently working in the emergency department (ED). I have grown to love working with patients that are in crisis. We see and treat many different patient populations, from pediatrics to geriatrics. During my time I am working with psychiatric patients, I have taken care of many active military members as well as veterans. I believe the healthcare system has failed the veterans, especially in mental health. In 2020, death by suicide among military service members and veterans increased by 25% (Gillison, 2021). As a PMHNP, you could join the American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA). Good luck on your educational journey!
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (n.d.). Retrieved on August 5, 2022 from https://www.apna.org/
Gillison, D.H. (2021). Veteran mental health: Not all wounds are visible. National Alliance on Mental Illness. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/From-the-CEO/November-2021/Veteran-Mental-Health-Not-All-Wounds-are-Visible
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Michele,
Your affiliation with a professional organization will allow you to continue expanding your network. How could your professional network impact your decisions, during your educational journey?
Good post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
Kayleigh Haas
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I am a relatively new nurse with about 4 years of nursing experience. I do not believe I have the experience needed to perform as a nurse practitioner; however, I wanted an opportunity to gain more knowledge in the nursing profession. I was originally enrolled in Walden’s Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program. I started volunteering to work more frequently in our mental health section at work to better prepare myself for the program. I realized that working with this population is emotionally draining. I applaud nurses and doctors who have decided to specialize and work in this field as it takes a strong and nurturing person. After the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and mass quarantines there has been a rise in both adult and adolescent mental health disorders. “The pandemic has had a profound effect on the mental health of the population due to disruptions in the social, economic, and mental fabric of the global community.”(Chen et al., 2021).
I instead enrolled in Walden’s MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program. After the Affordable Care Act was enacted, we saw a huge increase in Americans with healthcare insurance coverage. However, this rise in insured individuals was not matched with an increase in primary care providers. This issue has left people with extended wait times to either set up care or be seen by a primary care provider, especially in underserved communities. This idea results in emergency departments being burdened by non-emergent visits, such as medication refills. I believe this idea was a huge driving force in my decision to obtain my FNP. Nurse practitioners allow for “increased access to healthcare and cost effective care.” (Neff et al., 2018). I am hoping to use the information I acquire from this program to help restructure the way NPs and physician assistants (PAs) are used in our Emergency Department (ED). If we could adequately staff NPs to meet the needs of non-emergent ED visits, we could increase the amount of time spent with these patients. This time spent could be to educate patients on an appropriate diet, adequate wound care, preventative care, and management of their chronic diseases. This response could potentially prevent patients from returning to the ED due to the lack of understanding. So far, this program has taught me that, “nurses need to influence the formulation of health care policies rather than just implement them.” .”(Arabi et al., 2014). Eventually, after I gain more experience, I would like to work in my current hospital as a nurse practitioner in the ED.
I have already joined the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) as there is a student option offered. As a student, I simply needed to be enrolled in a nurse practitioner program and pay a $55 annual fee. AANP also has membership options for NPs, newly graduated NPs, retired NPs and non-NPs all at varying annual dues. The enrollment process included an online application including which membership you selected and your contact information. I joined to receive information about current legislation affecting the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) profession. Being a member provides clinical resourcess, updates on government affairs, free continuing education activities, scholarship opportunities, a job center, networking opportunities and much more. (AANP.org, 2022). Protecting and advancing the scope of practice for nurses,” is a key initiative for professional nursing organizations. (nursingworld.org, 2022).
References
Arabi, A., Rafii, F., Cheraghi, M. A., & Ghiyasvandian, S. (2014). Nurses’ policy influence: A concept analysis. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 19(3), 315–322.
Chen, P., Pusica, Y., Sohaei, D., Prassas, I., & Diamandis, E. (2021). An overview of mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202103.0217.v1
Membership. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.). Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.aanp.org/membership
Neff, D. F., Yoon, S. H., Steiner, R. L., Bejleri, I., Bumbach, M. D., Everhart, D., & Harman, J. S. (2018). The impact of nurse practitioner regulations on population access to care. Nursing Outlook, 66(4), 379–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2018.03.001
Practice and policy: American Nurses Association (ANA). ANA. (n.d.). Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hi, Kayleigh,
How could your professional organization affiliation allow you to stay abreast of the latest research, which may impact your practice?
Excellent post!
Dr. Lewis
4 months ago
LOIDA THORNE
RE: Discussion – Week 10
I am pursuing a master’s degree in Psychiatric Mental Health, realizing there is a lack of available resources and funding for mental health services especially in minority and rural communities. Many physical illnesses manifest from stressful situations and from individuals holding in their emotions. Many community health centers do not exist anymore leaving a vast majority of patients without sources to seek professional mental health treatment. I had no difficulty in making my decision to become a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner because helping those with psychiatric challenges is something that intrigued my interest.
Working with my community church in a diverse neighborhood, I have discovered there are those in need of mental health services stemming from alcoholism, drug addiction, isolation, and lack of self-esteem. As a church member, I have experienced firsthand disparities that exist from ethnicity and racial bias. Being a psychiatric nurse practitioner will aid me in accessing individuals that suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorders, depression, and schizophrenia. I will be trained to understand and treat mental health issues both in individual and group settings.
Being a part of several organizations will enhance my interest and values. “Professional organizations play a key role in all levels of advocacy and in each setting in which a nurse practices” (Echevarria, 2018). The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is one of the organizations that aligns with my goals in becoming a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner. The APNA core values include empowerment, inclusivity, integrity, collegiality, innovation, transparency, and stewardship” (APNA, 2021). Once you become a member of an organization full access is gained toward educational resources such as “websites, webinars, publications, conferences, and networking opportunities” (Cherry et al., 2019). To join APNA one must first download and complete the membership application. When you become a member, one must pay a $135 fee upon approval of APNA.
There is a growing demand for Advanced Nurse Practitioners in this field. I am glad to have chosen a profession that I can give back to those in need of mental health services in my community. “The future success of professional nursing organizations depends on the next generation of leaders who are willing to learn from the experiences of past leaders yet innovate and collaborate to create a promising future for nursing and people around the world who depend on nurses for care” (Cherry et al., 2019).
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (2021). About the American Psychiatric Nurses Association: Introduction. (2021). Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3277
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L., Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Scott, E. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in Professional Nursing Organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, Publish Ahead of Print. https://doi.org/10.1097/nna.0000000000000805
Echevarria, I. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721. 84857.cb.
4 months ago
Crystal Lewis WALDEN INSTRUCTOR MANAGER
RE: Discussion – Week 10
4 months ago
Kayleigh Haas
RE: Discussion – Week 10-Response 2
Hello Loida,
I like how you addressed the connection between mental health disorders and substance abuse. “More than one in four adults living with serious mental health disorders also have a substance use problem.” (mentalhealth.gov, 2022). These substance use problems present a huge barrier for these people to get the care they need. It prevents them from following up with therapeutic services and filling their prescriptions. You also addressed racial and ethnic bias related to mental health services. “Unfair differences in access to or quality of care according to race and ethnicity are quite common in mental health.” (McGuire & Miranda, 2008). As the lack of resources to these patient populations was a driving force for you to pursue your degree I think this will make you a great advocate for these people. The fact that you have already started working in your community gives you a good understanding of what your future patients will need. I think you are going to be very successful in this field and provide an excellent service for your patients. Thank you for your post.
References:
McGuire, T. G., & Miranda, J. (2008). New evidence regarding racial and ethnic disparities in Mental Health: Policy Implications. Health Affairs, 27(2), 393–403. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.27.2.393
Mental health and substance use co-occurring disorders. Mental Health and Substance Use Co-Occurring Disorders | MentalHealth.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.gov/what-to-look-for/mental-health-substance-use-disorders
4 months ago
Solomon Murray
RE: Discussion – Week 10
The psychotherapy component is one of the key things that first drew my interest to the subject of advanced mental health nursing. Career pleasure will come from being able to sit with patients and learning how to help them through psychotherapy.
I will be able to advance in my career as a psychiatric nurse practitioner in a way that will enable me to acquire more knowledge and autonomy in a challenging and continuously changing area. Healthcare disparities can show up in many different ways. I hope to make a bigger difference in the lives of those who are mentally ill after completing my Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) program, which will enhance patient outcomes and raise public awareness. My expertise as a mental health technician is more extensive than my experience as a mental health nurse. I do aim to work as a psychiatric nurse while attempting to finish my master’s program, though this may be a barrier for me.
During my college studies, I learned about a few organizations, including the American Psychiatric Nursing Association (APNA). Through the detection of mental health difficulties, prevention of mental health problems, and the care and treatment of people with mental health disorders, APNA is dedicated to the practice of psychiatric-mental health nursing and the promotion of health and wellness (APNA, 2021). The APNA promotes advances in recovery-focused assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and evaluation of people with mental health disorders by formulating positions on important issues, disseminating the most recent information and developments in PMH nursing, and working in partnership with stakeholders (APNA, 2021).
About Association for Psychiatric Nursing and Mental Health. APNA. (2021, September 8). Retrieved August 3, 2022, from https://www.apna.org/about-apna/
4 months ago
Jessica Jarosky
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Hello Solomon,
I agree that psychotherapy is an essential tool we can use with our patients as PMHNPs. Medication management shouldn’t be the only treatment we try with any client. I was also a mental health technician at my hospital before I became an RN, and I believe it has provided great confidence and knowledge in my journey in the mental health field. Some of the best nurses I know were techs long before they were nurses! An organization I researched this week was the Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses (AAPPN). This organization is based out of Washington state and advocates for mental health nurses, providing resources, continuing education, and networking opportunities for PMHNPs (AAPPN, 2022, para. 2). AAPPN also offers resources to find preceptor placement for students, get professional advice, and discussion opportunities to share knowledge with colleagues (AAPPN, 2021). I also looked into APNA while researching and agree they would be a great resource to utilize as practitioners. They provide many tools to help us, novice practitioners, with assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental health disorders while advocating for destigmatizing mental health. Thank you for your great insight, and I wish you luck on your journey to becoming a practitioner!
References
AAPPN. (2021, February 10). Creating an Online Community. Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.aappn.org/connection/professional-community/
AAPPN. (2022, January 25). Home. Association of Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses. Retrieved August 5, 2022, from https://www.aappn.org/
4 months ago
Pam Douglas
RE: Discussion – Week 10
Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner was an easy choice for me. I chose this profession because of the flexibility and my background in nursing. In my first experience in the nursing profession, I worked in a medical-surgical and pediatric unit. The pediatric side of the unit was very small but did allow me to get enough experience in pediatrics that made me want to continue my profession not only working with adults but also working with children and adolescents.
The significant difficulty I had making this decision was not wanting to return to school. I was content in my career, and the idea of returning to school while also trying to manage to work full time and have a family was a difficult choice. I returned to school because I did not want to be limited in my job opportunities. Becoming a Family Nurse Practitioner will allow me not only to work with an organization but also allow me to operate with autonomy and independence, providing services for individuals and families throughout their lifespan.
There are more than 100 nursing organizations, and each organization has opportunities for nurses at every level of their profession. (Cherry, 2019) An organization that currently employs nurse practitioners is my current employer United Health Care Group. This is a field-based career that allows practitioners to provide care to individuals in their homes. The organization asks for one years’ experience working as a nurse practitioner. After one year’s experience, you can become employed with the organization. I have spoken with my current manager, who supports me in finishing my education and pursuing my career as a Family Nurse practitioner with the United Healthcare organization. I plan to explore the opportunities offered by my current employer and then decide which branch within the organization best fits me to continue my career.
Reference
Cherry, B., Caramanica, L, Everett, L. Q., Fennimore, L., & Elaine, S. (2019). Leveraging the power of board leadership in professional nursing organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, -49(11), 517-519
4 months ago
Anh Nguyen
RE: Second post Discussion – Week 10
Hi Pam,
Having different experiences working with a wide range of age groups, from pediatric to adult, is a valuable experience to have in your nursing career. Choosing the FNP specialty would allow you to work with all age groups and not limit yourself to a specific group. It also allows you to continue working with the age groups you have experience working with before. You have a very idea of what you want to do as well as where you want to be once you finish the program. Knowing the specialty that you want to pursue early in the program would help you become more focused on working toward your goal. Many of us are still figuring out what exactly we want to become. By choosing the FNP specialty, you would become a member of the NPs workforce who help patients of all ages to gain access to high-quality care. The nurse practitioner workforce is essential in meeting the growing demands for access to high-quality primary care (Kueakomoldej, Turi, McMenamin, Xue, and Poghosyan, 2022). Besides the desire to give back to the community with nursing services, many nurses return to school for NP programs because of the autonomous and independent practice. FNP is the right path for you when you do not have to think twice about what specialty you want to do. Stellflug, Buer, and Auerbach (2022) revealed that “the FNP workforce is also aging and many FNPs can be expected to retire over the decade” (p. 398). You can be a member of the new workforce to replace the retiring FNPs to continue providing care for others.
References
Kueakomoldej, S., Turi, E., McMenamin, A., Xue, Y., & Poghosyan, L. (2022). Recruitment and retention of primary care nurse practitioners in underserved areas: A scoping review. Nursing Outlook, 70(3), 401–416. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.12.008
Stellflug, S. M., Buerhaus, P., & Auerbach, D. (2022). Characteristics of family nurse practitioners and their preparation for practice in rural vs. urban employment settings. Nursing Outlook, 70(3), 391–400. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.outlook.2021.12.007