Introduction
This paper delves into the role of advanced practice registered nursing practitioners (APRNs) in reducing unnecessary institutional barriers to their practice. The goal is to ensure they can work as per their education and accreditation as healthcare team members while enhancing health outcomes. According to the recently released research on the future of nursing for 2020-2030, one of the biggest obstacles confronting the nursing workforce is removing the present hurdles facing APRNs (Kleinpell et al., 2022). Limited access to home health approvals, limited health insurance credentials of APRNs, and the need for physician clearance and supervision for operations within their area of practice are just a few examples of the state and regulatory hurdles that limit APRNs’ effectiveness in their scope of practice. Additionally, these obstacles make it harder than it has to be to provide continuous, high-quality care.
Advocacy Strategies for NPs
As a nursing leader, I can advocate for NPs as full-time healthcare team members in several ways. First, I can ensure that newly recruited APRNs are trained and practice as per the APRNs consensus model. The model outlines that NPs’ education, training, certification, and license provision should conform to their healthcare team roles (Schirle et al., 2018). Education preparation through the APRNs consensus model equips NPs with the particular knowledge and clinical skills necessary for working in a variety of healthcare settings. Secondly, I can participate in state and national organizations that are in a position to influence the formulation of new policies pertaining to the APRN practice. Doing so would put me in an excellent place to attack the institutional hurdles encountered in the APRN practice. Thirdly, I would educate APRNs regarding their state practice restrictions to make them knowledgeable about their state restrictions. Finally, I would back attempts to fight for legislation in my state that would do away with these institutional barriers.
Conclusion
If the constraints imposed on the range of duties of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) were lifted, these nurses would be able to use their education and training to the fullest extent possible in their professional lives. At the same time, removing these restrictions would make them regarded as part of the healthcare team members as they will be able to perform medical procedures without supervision from primary physicians. This will result in increased healthcare services, as well as an improvement in healthcare coverage and health equity.
References
Kleinpell, R., Myers, C. R., Likes, W., & Schorn, M. N. (2022). Breaking down institutional barriers to advanced practice registered nurse practice. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 46(2), 137-143. Web.
Schirle, L., Norful, A. A., Rudner, N., & Poghosyan, L. (2018). Organizational facilitators and barriers to optimal APRN practice: An integrative review. Health Care Management Review, 45(4), 311-320. Web.