Understanding Scope of Practice in Relation to Certification and Licensure - Case Study on Nursing

Currently, there are thousands of nursing practitioners (NP) in the state who are certified in a variety of settings in the health care unit. NP, are differentiated by their scope of work in their respective fields, NP certification, and their educational preparation

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The two most important nursing practitioners bodies for nurses are Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (ANPCP) and American Nurses Credential Centre (ANCC). Barton Associates, (2012) states that these certifications have almost similar requirements although ANCC is said to have a bit more complex certification process as compared to ANPCP. Both ANPCP and ANCC require the nurses to renew their certification after every five years of practice. Besides, they also have to complete at least 1000 clinical hours during this period (American Nurses Association). The credentials awarded to these certifications are quite different from each other. Also, ANPCP question is purely clinical based unlike the latter, which is partly clinical and partly non-clinical which deals in the billing process, research, and nursing theory among others (Pearson, 2014). Regarding certification, ANPCP requires its members to re-certify in case the certification has elapsed. This implies that one will retake the Nursing practitioners examination (Leininger, & McFarland, 2006). On the other hand, ANCC has two distinct options that a candidate can take in case their certification elapses. This can be done through professional development, activities, or retake of national certification exam. These two options are dependent on the expiry period of the certifications (O'Connell, Gardner, & Coyer, 2014).

Having settled for a certification, NP may choose different ventures where they feel that they are best. According to (Wood, 2015), Acute care nursing practitioners, (ACNP), practice in both the community and hospital settings. The educational and certificate preparation of ACNP mainly centers on restorative care among patients, which is characterized by different clinical and hospital conditions (Jones & Bartlett, 2005). They provide care to patients suffering from chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma as well as those in critical health conditions (Pearson, 2014). The scope of practice of acute care nursing practitioners is almost similar to that of primary care nursing practitioners.

On the other hand, Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner mainly centers their scope to adult and elderly patients who are suffering from chronic health conditions (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2011). The AGNP work hand in hand with other health professionals to improve the health conditions of their patients (Cronenwett et al. 2007). They use past medical records of patients to administer care and stabilize their conditions.

The scope of work of Nurse practitioners differs from state to state. Buppert (2015) posits that, in Alabama, the scope of practice of NP is elaborated by the performance of the individual bearing nursing skills and has certification that indicates they bear knowledge in administering nursing care. On the other hand, Alaska NP refers to an individual who has been authorized and registered by the state to perform clinical practice in health centers. In this context, the Np should be certified to administer diagnosis, prescriptions, therapeutic and corrective medical examinations (Hamric, Spross, & Hanson, (2000). In Arizona, one is referred to be a registered nurse when the board has certified them. They should also have completed NP medical program and has vast knowledge in performing the scope of work as indicated in their certifications (Buppert, 2015).

Family nurse practitioners are trained to provide care to a wide range of individuals regardless of their age with a focus on the social context of the community and family. According to Friedman, Bowden, & Jones, (2003), FNP work with their patients practically all their life. Their work entails administering diagnosis, providing clinical checkups, and prescription of medication when necessary. Leininger, & McFarland, (2006), it is important to note that, FNP manages both acute and clinical health conditions of their patients.

Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner can make both works in clinical and community settings. This is because, both of these NP have specialized education and clinical training in these distinct areas (Hamric, Spross, & Hanson, 2000). Family medical center and CVS minute clinic settings are good working environments for the above NPs. The scope of work administered to these two settings is compatible to the working condition of an FNP and AGPCP. They provide a diagnosis to family settings as well as the elderly population without having appointments. Besides this, the clinical program and set up as well as the scope of work in these centers allows the graduates to learn work that is more practical and administer quality service to their patients at ease.

References

American Nurses Association (n.d.). Advanced Practice Nurses. Retrieved from http://www.nursingworld.org/EspeciallyForYou/AdvancedPracticeNurses

Barton Associates (n.d.). (Sept 21, 2012). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Laws. Retrieved from http://www.bartonassociates.com/nursepractitioners/nursepractitionerscopeofpracticelaws/

Buppert, C. (2015). Appendix 1A, state-by-state definitions of the nurse practitioner. In Nurse Practitioners Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th Ed.) (1632).

Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. (2005) National Council of State Boards of Nursing (n.d.). Boards and Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/boards.htm

Cronenwett, L., Sherwood, G., Barnsteiner, J., Disch, J., Johnson, J., Mitchell, P., ... & Warren, J. (2007). Quality and safety education for nurses. Nursing outlook, 55(3), 122-131.

Friedman, M. M., Bowden, V. R., & Jones, E. (2003). Family nursing: Research, theory & practice. Pearson.

Hamric, A. B., Spross, J. A., & Hanson, C. M. (Eds.). (2000). Advanced nursing practice: An integrative approach. Saunders.

Leininger, M. M., & McFarland, M. R. (2006). Culture care diversity & universality: A worldwide nursing theory. Jones & Bartlett Learning.

National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (2011). Statement on Acute Care and Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice. Retrieved from http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.nonpf.org/resource/resmgr/imported/NPPrimaryCareAcuteCarePracticeFINAL.pdf

O'Connell, J., Gardner, G., & Coyer, F. (2014). Beyond competencies: Using a capability framework in developing practice standards for advanced practice nursing. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 70(12), 27282735. Note: Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

Pearson, L. (2014). 2014 Pearson Report. Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett. Retrieved from http://d2jw81rkebrcvk.cloudfront.net/assets.navigate/Nurse_Practitioners_Business_Practice_Legal_Guide/CWS/The_Pearson_Report.pdfWood, D. (2015). Everyday Ethics for Nurses: Addressing Ethical Challenges Turning the Nurses Week theme into YearRound Ethical Practice. Retrieved from http://essynursingservices.com/everydayethicsfornursesaddressingethicalchallenges/