This assignment will allow students to critically analyze the evolving roles of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-ACNPs) in various healthcare settings, utilizing resourc

scussion Objective:

This assignment will allow students to critically analyze the evolving roles of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-ACNPs) in various healthcare settings, utilizing resources from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) website. 

Students will explore the expansion of AG-ACNP roles beyond traditional inpatient settings, including outpatient areas, urgent care centers, and palliative care services, and discuss the implications of these changes for patient care and the healthcare system.

Discussion:

When looking at the evolving roles of Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioners (AG-ACNPs), it's intriguing to see how the field has transformed in recent years.

A 2016 survey by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) revealed a significant rise in AG-ACNPs working in outpatient settings, urgent care centers, and group practices compared to the 2012 survey. This shift highlights the broadening scope of the AG-ACNP role beyond the traditional inpatient environment.

Furthermore, AG-ACNPs are embracing a wider array of responsibilities within hospital settings. For example, a hospitalist AG-ACNP may admit patients from the Emergency Department (ED), manage both acute and chronic health issues during their hospital stay, and facilitate communication with the patient’s primary care provider upon discharge. Another growing area is palliative care, where AG-ACNPs care for patients with life-threatening conditions, manage symptoms like pain and dyspnea, lead discussions on care goals, and coordinate complex care with other healthcare professionals.

To delve deeper into these expanding roles, I recommend visiting the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) website. The AACN offers extensive resources and information that can provide further insights into the current trends and future directions for AG-ACNPs.

Discussion Prompt:

1. Based on the information from the AANP survey and your exploration of the AACN website, discuss how the role of AG-ACNPs has evolved in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

2. Reflect on the potential benefits and challenges of these expanded roles for AG-ACNPs.

3. Share any insights or additional information you found on the AACN website that further illustrates the evolving roles of AG-ACNPs.

Instructions:

Post your initial reply (at least 500 words), following APA, 7th ed. guidelines, by Thursday at 23:59.  Reply to at least 2 classmates (at least 250 words) by Sunday at 23:59 p.m. 

See grading rubric.