Introduction
Description of the NONPF NP Core Competencies
Description of the Interview with the APN.
Analysis of the discussed APN competencies
Conclusion
Introduction
This report describes an interview conducted with a nursing leader, Mrs. N.R who practices as a Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP). A description of NONPF NP core competencies was discussed and an account would be presented in this report. Beside an actual description of the interview an analysis of the core competencies will be undertaken.
Description of NONPF NP core competencies
With responsibility of monitoring hypertensive patients whose blood pressure is uncontrolled due to several reasons, this advanced nurse practitioner (Mrs. N. R) displays competencies, which are relevant to addressing hypertensive cases in her unit. These competencies include:-
Administering Treatment protocols Policy
Hypertension is treated according to protocols advanced by the American Association of Medical Practitioners (Piper, 2014). The advanced nurse practitioner is equipped with skills and tools to treat hypertension applying primary techniques as well as secondary interventions. Advanced practice murses must be articulate in improving compliance with management through participation in the patient’s care.
Expert coaching and guidance (Quality)
While self-management limits the healthcare provider’s participation in the patient’s care at home and community, the advanced nurse practitioner is responsible for guiding the patient with hypertension into feeling confident in taking medication as well as life style management when the healthcare provider/specialist is not present in the environment. Inappropriate self- management brings 90% of patients to this specialist hypertension hospital and the medical unit where Mrs. N.R functions in a dual capacity as administrator and care coordinator with the on- call medical practitioner (Kaplan & Brown, 2004).
Leadership
Outcomes are inevitable once the advanced practice nurse begins an interaction with the client/patient. However, in executing care management the healthcare provider’s responsibility in this capacity as Mrs. N.R is to establish techniques that would ensure favorable outcomes.
Policy (collaboration)
Prophylaxis from the advanced nurse’s perspective means hypertension prevention as well as the associated complications, which uncontrolled hypertension produces. This can only be achieved through collaboration with other health care and non-healthcare agencies in management of patients. During this brief hospitalization period when attempts are made to identify the most appropriate medication combination for clients in the unit.
As a collaborator at the secondary level the advanced nurse Mrs. N.R is expected to treat hypertension by ensuring that compliance with diet, weight loss, exercise and life style changes reduce blood pressure levels until medication intervention becomes necessary. Here collaborating with pharmacists is valuable in explaining to patients side effects of many medications they cannot tolerate.
Description of interview with APN
My interview with Mrs. N.R began about 10 o’ clock in the morning and lasted for about an hour. Mrs. N.R is certified as a general practice nurse administration, functioning as the leader of a medical unit, which admits patients diagnosed with uncontrolled hypertension. She has been performing duties in this capacity for the past ten years. After a brief introduction and conversation familiarizing me about her daily routine in this specialized hypertensive care hospital and medical unit, we thoroughly discussed the core competencies relevant to her job description and certification as an advanced practice nurse (APN).
It was mentioned by Mrs. N.R in our discussion that there are many core competencies applicable to advanced practice nurses, but the technique of becoming proficient is concentrating on perfecting competencies applicable to one’s job function. The advanced nurse practice core competencies include scientific foundation competencies; leadership, quality, policy, practice inquiry, technology and information (NONPF, 2006). Leadership, policy and quality were the three competencies applicable to her present job description. With respect to scientific foundation competences Mrs. N.R was not actively engaged in research. Practice inquiry as well as technology while required the company has designated other staff with responsibility for technology and information competences apart from Mrs. N.R.
As the conversation continued it was related that Mrs. N.V manages a daily estimated patient census of 30-40 in the unit. Supporting nursing staff per shift consists of three registered nurses (RN), four licensed practical nurses (LPNs); three Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and four patient care technicians (PCTs). While the purpose of this unit was established to treat patients with uncontrolled hypertension many of them have developed complications such as stoke and mild cardio vascular conditions, which can be reversed if only the blood pressure could be controlled.
While a physician visits the unit daily to advise patients about developments in their condition and treatment modifications, as a general certified practice nurse (CPN) Mrs. N.R is also responsible for designing patient teaching for those who are at high risk for all the serious complications of hypertension. Staff training is also her responsibility apart from administrative duties. This medical unit forms section of a privately own 70 bed hospital complex specializing in hypertension management. The other sections manage active stroke patients and those with mild heart attack episodes
Analysis of the discussed APN competencies
Administering Treatment protocols as policy
At the primary level Mrs. N.R’s role focuses on prevention of hypertension through health promotion programs/strategies that educate/sensitize the public regarding incidences and possible measures that can be taken to reduce its prevalence. At the secondary forum, the advanced nurse practitioner is expected to use knowledge and expertise acquired during training to manage hypertension effectively reducing incidences of complications. They must be articulate in improving compliance with management through participation in the patient’s care.
Collaboration as policy
Collaborating with health promotion agencies such as public health where nutrition programs for preventing obesity and maintaining weight control are conducted is valuable in sharing skills as an educator. All patients do not respond the same way to medications used in control of hypertension. It is the advanced nurse practitioner’s role to be cautious in prescribing medications and follow up with clients/patients regularly to evaluate for adverse effects. Besides, patients should be told of some complications and side effects of the drugs they take and make choices of whether they want to take them or select alternatives. Mrs. N.R ensures as a unit administrator and co -physician that her patients’ choice of medication is be honored without prejudice
Quality
In the secondary management stages of hypertension, the advanced nurse practitioner is expected to design a care plan with the client/patient that ensures compliance to life style changes and medication regime recommended while under the one week blood pressure control hospital location management. In cases where complications have begun the goal should be educating patients/clients to cope with them and continue enjoying life.
Leadership
Appropriate interaction with patient and staff are qualities that describe leadership competences of the advanced practice nurse. It also entails initiating cooperation for desired outcomes to be achieved. These include adherence to medication management and discussion with client about adverse medication reactions. It means communicating with clients in a way to build confidence and not scare them to death; listening with apathy and not apprehension (Institute of Medicine, 2011)..
Conclusion
The foregoing report gives details of an interview conducted with administrator, leader and co-physician, Mrs. N.R. She is a certified nurse practitioner (CNP) with more than five years experience. During the interview apart from relating how she functions in this capacity we discussed NP’s core competences, but went into details regarding those she displayed on a daily basis.
References
Washington, DC: The National Academies Press
NONPF. (2006). Domains and Core Competencies of Nurse Practitioner Practice. Washington,
D.C.
Kaplan, L., & Brown, M. (2004). Prescriptive Authority and Barriers to NP Practice. Nurse
Practitioner 29 (3): 28–35
Piper, M. (2014). Screening for High Blood pressure in Adults: A Systemic Evidence Review of
US preventative taskforce. Evidence synthesis 121.
