The Advanced Nurse Role
The nervous system is a critical system which plays a vital role in every function of a human body ranging from sensations, thinking to movements (Nurse without Borders, 2016). As such, the system is instrumental in coordinating and regulating human body activities. This complex system is a network of fiber, nerve cells, and neurons which are spread throughout the human body. Thus, any injuries and trauma on the spinal cord, head, nerve cell or diseases such as meningitis, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and encephalitis on any part of this system can have devastating effect on the body which can result in paralysis, disability or death (Nurse without Borders, 2016). Thus, patients with nervous system complications or who have suffered a stroke needs adequate quality and safe care due to the sensitivity of their condition and they required to be handled with utmost care to prevent further injuries. Notably due to the illness or injury on the nervous system patients with may act or behave erratically rendering them vulnerable to more injuries. Hence, to avoid further adverse effect on the patient, health practitioners assigned to the patient ought to have adequate knowledge, skills and experience on how to meet the needs of the client and give them appropriate treatment and care that is in line with their condition since any error can cause permanent disorder or death (Ringel, 2015). Therefore, a patient with neurological problems needs care which is compassionate, cost-effective and sensitive. In a normal health care setting, an Advance Neurology Nurse Practitioner give care to patients with the nervous system and brain disorders and who have suffered spinal and head injuries/traumas (Ringel, 2015). They are involved in patient assessment, diagnosis, order tests, arrange treatment, write drugs prescriptions, counseling and educating patients about their conditions and what they ought to do to ensure faster recovery after treatment (Nurse without Borders, 2016). In addition, “these nurses will also help their patients manage and live with their disabilities” (Nurse without Borders, 2016).
The Reasons
The reason why am I interested in this master degree is that I feel inadequate, unfulfilled, not well utilized and not giving my patient compassionate care which guarantee positive utmost outcomes. I want to advance my expertise and specialty in neurology in order to offer efficient, safe, appropriate and quality services to my patients to ensure they get into their normal life as fast as possible, reduce long stay in hospitals and eliminate chance of readmission and reoccurrence of their illness in future (Ringel, 2015). Furthermore, I wish to advance my career and fulfilled my long term goal of being an administrator. Thus, this master degree will not only equip me with the necessary knowledge to give adequate care to my patients but also enhance my leadership and managerial skills which will be instrumental in my future goal (Pankevich et al., 2013).
Impact in my career. From my interaction and caring for patients with neurological problems, I have discovered that these patients experience difficulties when it comes to communicating with the health professions and their families since their cognitive functions are deficient (Pankevich et al., 2013). Thus, they experience problems when it comes to communicating their needs. Thus, the knowledge I will get after graduating with a master degree in Nurse Practitioner in a Neurology private practice will help me identify the requirements of my patients, and communicate with them adequately (Nettina et al., 2013). This will be essential in ensuring they are comfortable, have peace of mind and low-stress level since all their wants have been met. The experience gained from the pursuing this master degree will help me create a conducive holistic healing environment for my patient (Nettina et al., 2013). Additionally, the training will help me customized care plans to suit each of my patients according to their conditions and personal needs. In conclusion, neurology unit is a very sensitive area in a health care facility which does not accommodate errors and near misses. Thus, health practitioners working in this department ought to be competent to address the necessity of the patients. Thus, masters in Nurse Practitioner in Neurology will be useful in impacting necessary skills which will be essential in offering holistic care to my patient and advance my career in nursing.
References
Nettina, S. M., Msn, A. B., & Nettina, S. M. (2013). Lippincott manual of nursing practice. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Nurse Without Borders. (2016). Becoming a Neuroscience Nurse; Attention Required! | CloudFlare. Retrieved from http://nursewithoutborders.org/becoming-a-neuroscience-nurse/
Pankevich, D. E., Wizemann, T. M., Cuff, P. A., & Altevogt, B. M. (Eds.). (2013). Strengthening Human Resources Through Development of Candidate Core Competencies for Mental, Neurological, and Substance Use Disorders in Sub-Saharan Africa:: Workshop Summary. National Academies Press.
Ringel, S. P. (2015). The practice of neurology Looking ahead by looking back. Neurology, 84(20), 2086-2091.
