Introduction
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) play a crucial role in care delivery in the United States healthcare system. Essentially, APNs are registered nurses with advanced education in regard to a specific role as well as patient population, particularly prepared at the Masters level (Mancuso & Udlis, 2012). As such, APNs are usually prepared through training as well as certification mainly to assess, order tests, diagnose, prescribe medications and manage patients with various health problems. In the United States, APNs are categorized into four categories based on their preparation and specific role, these categories include; nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse-midwives and certified registered nurse-anesthetists. In some of the states APNs usually prescribe medications while in some other states APNs are authorized to practice independently and do not require physician supervision or collaboration. However, the requirements for advanced practice nurses usually vary from one state to the other.
In Kentucky, KBN (Kentucky Board of Nursing) is entirely responsible for licensing the eligible Nurses to work as APNs in the states under various different and recognized categories. These categories include; nurse practitioner, certified nurse-specialists, certified registered nurse-anesthetics and certified nurse-midwife. As such, in order to qualify to work as an APN in the state, an individual should have a current Kentucky RN licensure or any other compact state and meet the other eligibility criteria required for APNs before applying for the APN licensure in the state (Mancuso & Udlis, 2012). Thus, in order to qualify to work as an APN in Kentucky an individual requires to have various requirements. Firstly, KBN requires that in order for a nurse to qualify to work as an APN in the state, one should satisfactorily complete and have a Master’s Degree in nursing whereby this enables one to be granted an APN licensure to work in the state. In relation to this, nursing program should be approved by the KBN or accredited by the national organization in order for one to qualify for licensure. Secondly, the nurse should pass the national certification examination and have a national certification that certifies one to work within the approved and specified population focus. More importantly, one should maintain the certification in order to retain their Kentucky APN licensure. Thirdly, one should have the state licensure, however, before obtaining the licensure one should have a valid proof in relation to the national certification, submit official transcripts to verify one’s education status particularly the completion of the post-graduate nursing program and pass the federal as well as the state background checks in order to ensure that one has no criminal record (Mancuso & Udlis, 2012). Lastly, one should continuously renew their licensure whereby the renewal of the licensure requires that one should satisfactorily complete the continuing education as required by the board and directed by the relevant organization on national certification.
On the other hand, the CBRN (California Board of Registered Nursing) is responsible for licensing eligible nurses to work as APNs in the state under six certified and recognized classifications. These classifications include; nurse anesthetists, clinical nurse-specialists, nurse-midwife, psychiatric health nurse, nurse practitioner and public health nurse. In addition, one should have a valid and current California licensure for RN before being granted the certification that enables one to become an APN in California. Thus, CBRN requires one to have a minimum of a Master’s degree in the advanced practice nursing specialty area that one wishes to work. In relation to this, one should effectively complete the nursing program as specified by the board and meet all the requirements that are required to be certified in the relevant APN classification. Moreover, one should have a national certification on the relevant APN classification as well as the California certification for APN. In order to be granted the state certification, one should submit the official certificates relevant to the APN classification and pass the criminal history check. Lastly, one should continuously renew their certificate be meeting all the renewal requirements that include; continuing education, criminal background check and renewal fee.
Waste management is an effective strategy that enable healthcare organizations to safeguard patients and healthcare workers from any harm, foster sustainability and conserve the environment. In regard to this there are various ways used in the disposal of medical waste (Bai, Vanitha & Ariff, 2013). In my place of work, medical waste is usually disposed by incineration whereby this provides a considerable reduction in the volume of medical wastes. The process is quite effective since it requires minimal processing of the waste materials before treatment. However, the method usually emits certain pollutant, thus the incinerator is located in secluded site. In addition, the medical waste is also disposed via stem sterilization whereby the wastes are usually sterilized before landfill disposal. Operation of this method is cheaper as compared to the incinerator and usually emits less toxins. Moreover, the organization also disposes medical wastes especially the liquid wastes into the sanitary sewers.
For example, sharps are disposed via sharp bins which are sealable and have rigid walls that sharp objects cannot penetrate. Nonetheless, as an alternative approach, use of laser in the place of sharps can go a long way in reducing the use of sharps. Additionally, these sharps may be sterilized and disposed in self-lock bins. By so doing, this helps in preventing the possibility of infections and injuries that may arise from these sharps.
References
Bai, V. R., Vanitha, G., & Ariff, A. Z. (2013). Effective hospital waste classification to overcome occupational health issues and reduce waste disposal cost. Infection control and hospital epidemiology, 34(11), 1234-1235.
Mancuso, J. M., & Udlis, K. A. (2012). Doctor of nursing practice programs across the United States: A benchmark of information: Part II: Admission criteria. Journal of Professional Nursing, 28(5), 274-283.
