Advanced Practice Nursing

Advanced practice nursing emerges from the need for specialized care, leading to the development of nurse practitioners (NPs), nurse midwives, clinical nurse specialists (CNSs), and nurse anesthetists.

Registered nurses with expert knowledge, complex decision-making skills, and clinical competencies for expanded practice.
Shape the characteristics of their practice based on the context and country in which they are credentialed.
Include nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, nurse anesthetists, and nurse midwives.

Defined by the Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, which describe the "who," "what," "where," "when," "why," and "how" of nursing practice.
Registered nurses (RNs) and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) comprise the constituency.
Focus on protection, promotion, and optimization of health and abilities, prevention of illness and injury, facilitation of healing, and alleviation of suffering.

In 1914, Dr. George Crile and nurse anesthetist Agatha Hodgins set up hospitals for the Allied Forces in France.
In the 1920s, nurse-midwives from England traveled to the US to provide quality maternity services to patients in rural areas.

Legislation is needed to authorize the practice of advanced practice nurses.
In the US, each state regulates the professions, so legislation is needed in each state.
The essential documents from the profession serve as the foundation for legislation and regulatory policy-making.

Advanced practice nurses graduate from an accredited basic nursing education program and then complete post-registration or post-graduate study.
The overwhelming trend is to educate APNs at the master's level, but some shorter certificate programs exist.

APNs may have a contractual relationship with physicians or function more as employees.
Elements of a work contract would include profit participation, protection in the case of disability, opportunities for advancement, and conditions regarding selling all or part of the practice.

APNs provide high-quality, cost-effective care, which is essential for the future of healthcare.
Research has consistently shown that APNs are a proven response to the evolving trend toward wellness and preventive healthcare.

NNAs have a responsibility to protect the public and defend nurses in the negotiation of policies and regulations.
NNAs need to develop and implement sound labor policies, ensure that fees are included for health promotion and illness/accident prevention activities, and educate policy makers.

NNAs need to provide ongoing education and training for nurses, including educational programs focusing on the business aspects of their work.
NNAs can conduct an analysis of unmet health care needs, followed by descriptions of services needed by the public.

Entrepreneurs can change the way we live and work, and their innovations can improve our standard of living.
Entrepreneurship boosts economic growth, creates jobs, and encourages competition.

Entrepreneurship is essential for the future of healthcare, as it leads to innovative technologies, products, and services.
Nurses can take advantage of entrepreneurial opportunities to create new businesses and services that improve healthcare outcomes.### Entrepreneurs and Nurses
Entrepreneurs provide new job opportunities in the short and long term.
Entrepreneurial activity raises the productivity of firms and economies.
Entrepreneurs accelerate structural change by introducing new products, services, and business models.

Entrepreneurship offers opportunities for innovation, independent practice, and personal and professional growth.
Nurses have the skills and expertise to deliver their services directly to the public.
Entrepreneurial nurses can change the public perception of nursing and pave the way for changing the perception of policymakers.

Only a few people have the drive to become entrepreneurs.
Entrepreneurs face a substantial risk of failure, and the costs are sometimes borne by taxpayers.
In the medium term, entrepreneurial activities may lead to layoffs if existing firms close.

The healthcare sector has seen tremendous advancements in diagnosis, treatment, and information technology.
Entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial nurses can fill the void and contribute to a wide scope of practice.
Entrepreneurship eradicates the feeling of powerlessness and facilitates the germination of motivation.
Nurses have excellent communication and selling skills, making them ideal professionals for pursuing entrepreneurship.
Nurses are highly adaptable and flexible, making them true entrepreneurs.

Nurses should practice to the full extent of their education and training.
Nurses should achieve higher levels of education and training through an improved education system.
Nurses should be full partners with physicians and other health professionals in redesigning healthcare.
Effective workforce planning and policy making require better data collection and an improved information infrastructure.

Transform the nursing profession in three crucial areas: practice, education, and leadership.
Collect better data on the healthcare workforce to inform policy making.