Reference no: EM133791634
Primary Care and NP Scope of Practice
NPs diagnose, treat and manage acute and chronic diseases, while emphasizing health promotion and disease prevention. NPs practice in every primary care setting, including but not limited to clinics, health care systems, health maintenance organizations, private physician offices, NP-owned practices, nursing homes, schools, colleges, public health departments, nurse managed clinics and homeless shelters.
For more than 50 years, NPs have provided patient-centered health care to a broad range of populations - with positive patient outcomes and cost savings observed. A brief review of studies examining NP outcomes is available in the Quality of Care Bibliography and NP Cost-Effectiveness position papers. Currently, our nation is facing new and emerging health challenges. As noted by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021), there is a critical need for all primary care providers to function at the fullest extent of their scope of practice. By establishing a strong health care system with a robust primary care workforce, the U.S. can better address its aging population, rising health care costs and the growing burden of chronic disease. NPs are key to building this solid foundation and bring added strength to the health care workforce. Maximizing this available potential is pivotal to addressing the current and emerging challenges.
Question 1: With this knowledge, do you believe Advanced Nurse Practitioners need to identify health problems that affect your community and/or your clinical setting? Why or why not?
Question 2: How are APRNs considered CHANGE AGENTS when a healthcare issue is identified? Do you believe this is part of their role? Why or why not?