Essay Sample on CNP Role & Gerontology: A Nursing Leadership Model for Healthcare Transformation

Introduction

Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) role and population focus are essential for effective health care services delivery. As Salmond and Echevarria (2017) point out, as the healthcare sector and nursing practice continue to face dynamism and challenges, nurses should position themselves to lead and contribute to the transformative changes. This paper discusses the Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) as a nursing role and adult/gerontology as a population focus.

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Background

The CNP is a nurse who undergone advanced academic practice and experience in nursing up to the master's level and who is registered and licensed to practice as a nurse. The nurse specializes in the treatment of a specific population, such as children. The CNP roles include writing prescriptions, providing counseling and education, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, performing physical examinations on patients, and diagnosing and managing chronic illnesses (Hamric, Hamson, Tracy, & O'Grady, 2013).

The APRN population focus refers to the specific categories of patients or sections of the human population to which an APRN is licensed and trained to offer healthcare services. The CNP's chosen population focus is the adult population consisting mainly of people in old age with unique health problems.

Further, the settings where the CNP may practice include homes, hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, acute care, and nursing homes. These are the settings where old people with different health issues are likely to be found. The CNPs' scope of practice is national. They are not merely confined to State-level care but are licensed to practice nursing locally and nationally according to the NCCA statement.

Competencies and Standards of Care

The main competencies required of CNPs include leadership, professional relationships, client-centered practice, knowledge-based practice, accountability, communication, and analytic skills. cultural sensitivity, and responsibility (Hamric et al., 2013). Their standards of care are evaluated based on these core proficiencies.APRN Issues and Challenges

One of the current challenges for the APRN role of CNPs and their population focus is the changing educational standards. Another issue is the evolving and highly dynamic healthcare system and designs (Hamric et al. 2013). They also face the regulatory barrier concerning prescribing practices due to knowledge gaps. The other issue for CNPs is independent practice restrictions for CNPs.

Future of the APRN Role

The future of the CNP role is bright and full of opportunities for jrowth and advancement. However, due to practice, regulatory, legislative, demographic, and political changes that are bound to occur with time, the future of CPN role is fraught with challenges. The CNPs must thus learn and prepare to adapt to these changes.

Conclusion

In summary, certified nurse practitioners play a critical role in delivering cost-effective and quality care to patients due to their advanced training, education, and experience. However, due to the dynamic nature of the healthcare system, these nurses must be ready to be active agents of transformative change in healthcare delivery now and in the future.

References

Hamric, A.B., Hamson, C.M., Tracy, M.F., & O'Grady E.T. (2013). Advanced practice nursing: An integrated approach. St. Louis, Missouri: Elsevier Saunders

Salmond, S.W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopedic Nursing, 36(1), 12-25