In 1990 a group of educators, called the National Task Force for Family Nurse Practitioner Curriculum and Evaluation, created the initial curriculum guidelines for nurse practitioners (Graduate nurse practitioners education competencies, n.d.).Today, the NONPF represents most NP educational institutions worldwide and they continue to develop/improve the NP competencies and guidelines in order to prepare healthcare professionals across the world (Graduate nurse practitioners education competencies,
I will begin with the core competencies for the NP. There are nine core competencies for the NP presented by the (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties [NONPF], 2014) which are as follows (a) scientific foundation competencies, (b) leadership competencies, (c) quality competencies, (d) practice inquiry competencies, (e) technology and information literacy competencies, (f) policy competencies, (g) health delivery system competencies, (h) ethics competencies and (i) independence competencies. These core competencies are essential for the NP to demonstrate upon graduation. A better understanding of these competencies with a brief explanation of each will be provided.
The Nurse Practitioner Role: A Journey to Self-Actualization
The history and evolution of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) role, particularly the Nurse Practitioner (NP), can easily be compared to the process of self-actualization. According to Webster’s dictionary (2015), to self-actualize means “to fully realize one’s potential.” Through the collaboration of many great minds and the practice of holism as the best approach for providing healthcare, the role of the APRN arose.
Nursing has grown through out many levels in health care. American Nursing Association (ANA) created the “Nursing scopes and standards practice,” to establish a commonality to all registered nurses, of competent level of nursing practice and professional performance (ANA p.2 2010). The standard that is the foundation that affects all other standards is Assessment. According to the ANA, assessment is “A systemic, dynamic process by which the registered nurse, through interaction with the patient, family, groups, communities, population, and healthcare provider, collects and analyzes data (ANA P.63 2010)” This standards is very influential in nursing practice.
According to the article Who Np’s Are and What They Do, more than ninety percent of nurse practitioner education programs at colleges and universities confer the ...
Preceptor recruitment, preparation, and compensation; preparation and evaluation of the students; as well as the setting and overall experience for both student and preceptor have long since been starting points for literature reviews when addressing new graduate nurse practitioner (NP) clinical competency upon entry to practice. Preceptor models and student/mentor relationships address, in part, the following benefits: opportunities for critical thinking, operationalizing theoretical concepts, enhancing professional behaviors, interaction with peers and ancillary personnel, all while doing so in a real world environment (Ivey, 2006).
“Competence affects one’s self-respect, self-esteem, professional status, and the meaningfulness of work. In all nursing roles, evaluation of one’s own performance, coupled with peer review, is a means by which nursing practice can be held to the highest standards”(American Nurses Association, 2012). Staying current with these changes by taking continuing education units, reading medical journals and attending competency fairs assist the nurse in maintaining competency.
I now that I have the knowledge to aspire to take up my role within one of the identified population foci. APRNs program developed my core competencies by allowing me to be more efficient adaptability with regards to newly emerging APRN roles or population focus. Furthermore, achieving my course objectives enable me to understand the specific APRN roles. For example, course objectives provide me with a better detail, and align my licensure goals with the responsibilities expected of each role. Licensure will provide me and my fellow APRN graduates with the full authority to practice. Also, certification is required to meet the highest possible standards as APRNs are expected to align knowledge, skills and experience with the standards of health care professionals. This field has very narrow margins for error, and it is therefore important, for APRNs to meet the highest and most stringent academic qualifications. In order to be a recognized as APRN graduate, one is required to complete formal education with a graduate degree or post-graduate certificate awarded by an academic institute and accredited by a recognized accrediting agency empowered by the relevant government education
There have been relatively few informative studies examining what to look for in an effective Charge Nurse. The occupation of Charge Nurse is exhibited by effective leadership and is tantamount to the successful running of a Nursing Unit. It is well-known that successful nursing leaders have the ability to think on their feet, while effortlessly solving day-to-day problems. Their duties combine administrative, educational, along with clinical expertise. The qualitative research study that was examined in this article uses grounded theory to determine what makes a good charge by using the experiences and observations of staff nurses, charge nurses along with nurses in upper management along with review of past articles and studies.
In order to meet demands of a growing chronically and acutely ill patient population, societal changes, the community is in great need for highly educated and specialized nurses. According to the National Advisory Council on Nurse Education and Practice (NACNEP) “calls for at least two-thirds of the nurse workforce to hold baccalaureate or higher degrees in nursing. Currently, only 55 percent of nurses hold degrees at the baccalaureate level and above” (as cited in Rosseter, 2014, p.3). This need for advance degrees will bring much more respect to the profession as nurses will be viewed at highly educated working as full partners alongside with physicians, physicians’ assistants, etc. The next question, is if all nurses should acquire advance