Nationally recognized competencies and practice standards ensure our profession is meeting the benchmark for excellence in health care delivery to include acute, chronic, and preventive care. Research has proven that the care provided by NPs improves patient outcomes significantly. The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) developed NP Competencies to use as a guide for ensuring NPs have mastered their program of study and are ready to transition from the role of RN to the role of NP and pursue National Certification with one of the current certifying bodies. NURS 6565: Case Study One: Selecting the Certification Exam

Once certified, NPs are then eligible to apply for licensure as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in the state provider status is desired. Currently for FNPs and AGPCNPs, The American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the American Nurses Credentialing center both support the outcome of the APRN Consensus Model to ensure licensure after completion of an accredited program(s) of study and certification, which is recognized on a national level. The consensus model supports the goals of the nationally recognized APRN certification process with the ultimate goal of aligning credentials in regards to education, accreditation, licensure, and certification to establish a more uniform practice across the country.

This week you will review the importance of certification and licensure and recognize the differences in the application process at the state level. Additionally, students will examine the importance of Scope of Practice in regard to certification, licensure, and practice.

Learning Objectives – NURS 6565: Week 6: Case Study One: Selecting the Certification Exam

By the end of this week, students will:

• Analyze NP certification, licensure, and relocation processes
• Compare Scope of Practice among acute care, family practice, and adult gerontology primary care nurse practitioners
• Evaluate certification exam options
• Create plans for passing National Certification Exams
• Analyze state restrictions or limitations for practice

Learning Resources

This page contains the Learning Resources for this module. Be sure to scroll down the page to see all of this module’s assigned Learning Resources.

Required Readings

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

Barton Associates (n.d.). Nurse Practitioner Scope of Practice Laws. Retrieved from http://www.bartonassociates.com/nurse-practitioners/nurse-practitioner-scope-of-practice-laws/

Buppert, C. (2015). Appendix 1-A, state by state definitions of the nurse practitioner. In Nurse Practitioner’s Business Practice and Legal Guide (5th ed.) (16-32). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett.

National Council of State Boards of Nursing (n.d.). Boards and Regulations. Retrieved from https://www.ncsbn.org/boards.htm

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), 2728-2735.

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.pdf

Wood, D. (2015). Everyday Ethics for Nurses: Addressing Ethical Challenges – Turning the Nurses Week theme into Year-Round Ethical Practice. Retrieved from http://essynursingservices.com/everyday-ethics-for-nurses-addressing-ethical-challenges/

Document: Licensing and Certification (PPT Presentation)

Document: Nurse Practitioner Certification Applications (Word document)

Document: Test Taking Strategies to Prepare for Your Certification Exam

Note: All nurses who review this presentation will earn one contact hour.

Certification Sites

The purpose of the credentialing body is to provide a valid and reliable program for entry-level nurse practitioners to recognize and validate their education, knowledge, and professional expertise as a nurse practitioner. Both credentialing bodies will be reviewed including application process.

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (n.d.). American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program. Retrieved from http://www.aanpcert.org/index

American Nurses Association (n.d.). American Nurses Credentialing Center. Retrieved from http://www.nursecredentialing.org/

Required Media – NURS 6565: Case Study One: Selecting the Certification Exam

The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (2011, April 19). A Brief History of the AANP [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9M9gyjvpetw

Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 5 minutes.

Optional Resources

Delaney, K. R. (2014, November). 2015 Is Here: The Impact of LACE on the Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing Workforce. Journal of Child & Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 27, (161-162). doi:10.1111/jcap.12096.

Discussion: Understanding Scope of Practice in relation to Certification and Licensure

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) is a non-profit organization comprised of members from each state board of nursing in the U.S., the District of Columbia, and the four U.S. territories. Their role is to provide a platform for all state boards of nursing to convene, discuss, and ensure all state boards work together to provide the appropriate regulation to ensure that public health, safety, and welfare is the primary focus. A key element of NP licensure is understanding the components of Scope of Practice and subsequent practice within the parameters of the educational program completed and appropriate national certification.

To prepare:

• Consider the differences in certification exams options for your specialty
• Consider whether primary care NP graduates are qualified to seek employment in acute care settings such as ER, OR, or hospitalist/intensivist
• Review and select one of the following case studies to research in depth:
  • Case Study One: Selecting the Certification Exam for your specialty.
    Mary is in the last two months of her program of study. She is trying to decide whether to take the American Association of Nurse Practitioner Credentialing Exam or the American Nurses Credentialing Exam.
  • Case Study Two: Obtaining initial licensure post matriculation.
    Amy, FNP-BC has recently graduated from an accredited Family Nurse Practitioner Program. She decides to relocate from her home state of Tennessee to Missouri and practice in a rural area. She is very excited about her new role and new position.

By Day 3

Post the National Certification Exam you plan to take, a brief explanation for why you chose this exam, and an outline of your plan for passing the National Certification Exam you selected. Then, provide an explanation of the professional and/or clinical practice issues the new Nurse Practitioner will need to consider and address with the certification, licensure, credentialing, or relocation process. Compare Scope of Practice between the Acute Care, Family Practice, and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and how practice may differ from state to state. Then, identify and explain at least two types of settings that are appropriate for FNP and AGPCNP graduates to practice.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

By Day 7

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on three different days in one or more of the ways listed below. Respond to colleagues who selected a different Case Study than you did.

• Reflect on the differences between certifying bodies that offer credentialing exams for registered nurses.
• Provide key components a Nurse Practitioner should consider when relocating from one state to another.

Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. NURS 6565: Case Study One: Selecting the Certification Exam.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION;

Synthesis in Advanced Practice Care of Complex Patients in Primary Care Settings

Introduction

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) are the front line for health care in primary care settings. They provide an essential service that allows doctors to focus on complex patients and provide them with the best possible care.

In a primary care setting, the advanced practice nurse is responsible for providing care to patients with complex chronic diseases.

In a primary care setting, the advanced practice nurse is responsible for providing care to patients with complex chronic diseases. APNs work closely with primary care providers and must be able to manage multiple health conditions in addition to providing direct patient care.

APNs can help improve patient outcomes by collaborating with other healthcare providers who specialize in different areas of specialty medicine (e.g., endocrinology or cardiology), who have specialized knowledge of specific disease processes or treatments (e.g., pulmonary hypertension). This collaborative approach allows each individual’s strengths and weaknesses to be utilized together as a team effort towards improving overall quality of life among patients suffering from conditions such as heart failure or diabetes mellitus type 2

Advanced practice nurses often bring new strategies and ideas that can improve patient care and outcomes.

Advanced practice nurses often bring new strategies and ideas that can improve patient care and outcomes. They may be the first to try a new approach, or they may have more time to spend with individual patients because of their advanced education. APNs also tend to be flexible in their approach and able to adapt when things don’t go according to plan.

APNs are often the first people doctors turn to for advice about complex patients, so their experience working with them will help you develop your own skills at managing them effectively.

When it comes to complex patients, the health care team has a lot of needs to consider.

When it comes to complex patients, the health care team has a lot of needs to consider. The needs of the patient, family and community are all important factors in how patients receive care. APNs can improve patient care and outcomes by providing:

• All types of care to complex patients including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy;

• Assisting with making informed medical decisions;

Communication skills–listening and asking questions–are the most important ones for APNs.

As an advanced practice nurse (APN), you may be asked by your patient to take some time out of your schedule to listen and talk with them. This is important because it allows the patient to express their concerns, needs and goals in a safe environment. You can then use this information as a foundation for planning care for the future.

It’s also important that you ask questions when appropriate so that you understand what’s most important for your patient’s health care needs. For example:

• Knowing when not too much information is needed is important so that nurses don’t overwhelm themselves with too much information at once; instead of asking multiple questions at once, try asking one question at first then expanding upon it if necessary later on during conversations or consultations.

• If there are several things going on in life right now (job changes/life challenges), then make sure those topics aren’t neglected while listening attentively during conversations with patients who are feeling stressed out because they don’t know how long until another big event happens again either financially or emotionally/physically speaking which could affect overall mental health outcomes over time due

The skills needed by APNs are very similar to the ones used in family medicine or by family medicine specialists.

The skills needed by APNs are very similar to the ones used in family medicine or by family medicine specialists. As a result, they can be trained in a wide range of skills that will enable them to provide excellent care for their patients.

They are trained in the same basic medical knowledge as all physicians, but also have additional training specific for primary care settings. For example:

• They receive instruction on communication techniques with hospitalized patients who have complex chronic diseases (such as diabetes). These techniques include how to use body language effectively when talking with patients about their condition; how much time should be spent discussing each topic; and whether there are any areas where you might need more information from your patient before moving forward with treatment plans. In addition, these conversations should always focus on helping each individual understand what may happen next rather than giving advice based solely on what has worked previously without taking into account new research findings related specifically towards his/her current situation

Being able to communicate effectively with patients is one key skill for advanced practice nurses.

One key skill for advanced practice nurses is the ability to communicate effectively with patients. This includes listening, asking questions and explaining things to them. An important part of effective communication is encouraging patients’ curiosity about their health care and giving them space to talk about what’s going on in their lives.

Conclusion

This article covered what it means to care for complex patients in primary care settings, the skills that advanced practice nurses need to be successful at it, and how these skills relate to other types of health care professionals. We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the challenges posed by patients with chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension–and that now your mind is clear on how you can help people in your own community who are dealing with similar issues!