Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Advanced registered nursing graduates are entering the profession at dynamic time when roles and scope of practice are shifting based on developments in legislation and policy in response to the evolving needs of the health care system. Professional nursing organizations play an important role in making sure the perspectives of advanced registered nurses are heard, and in supporting nurse specialties in their efforts to expand their scope of practice and their full participation throughout the health care system.
For this assignment, you will conduct research on the current scope of practice for your specialty and efforts that are being made to expand that scope and the role of the advanced registered nurse in positively influencing the health care system. Write a 1,250-1,500-word paper that includes the following:
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- A discussion of the scope of your future role as an advanced registered nurse, including any regulatory, certification, or accreditation agencies that define that scope.
- A discussion of three professional nursing organizations that you think are most influential in advancing the scope and influence of advanced nursing. Of these organizations, evaluate the one that you would most like to join. How do its goals and mission fit in with your worldview and philosophy of care? How might membership in this organization improve your practice?
- A discussion of a controversial or evolving issue that is most likely to affect your scope of practice or role in the next few years. How do you think this issue could influence the profession and other stakeholders and why does it matter to the advanced registered nurse? Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
You are required to cite five to 10 sources to complete this assignment. Sources must be published within the past 5 years and appropriate for the assignment criteria and nursing content.
Complete the “APA Writing Checklist” to ensure that your paper adheres to APA style and formatting criteria and general guidelines for academic writing. Include the completed checklist as an appendix at the end of your paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center.
This assignment uses a rubric. Please review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the expectations for successful completion.
You are required to submit this assignment to LopesWrite. A link to the LopesWrite technical support articles is located in Class Resources if you need assistance.
Benchmark Information
This benchmark assignment assesses the following programmatic competencies:
MBA-MSN
MSN-Nursing Education; MSN-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner-Adult-Gerontology; MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner; MSN-Health Informatics; MSN-Health Care Quality and Patient Safety; MSN-Leadership in Health Care Systems; MSN-Public Health Nursing
5.3 Evaluate professional organizations and activities that improve one’s practice and influence advanced nursing practice.
Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations
In the dynamic environment of the American healthcare system, the role of Advanced Registered Nurses (ARNs), especially Nurse Practitioners (NPs), presents an innovative approach to resolving the problems the healthcare system is facing. Given the higher shortage of primary care providers and because healthcare costs continue to rise, ARNPs are uniquely positioned to deliver the highest quality and cost-effective primary care (Savard et al., 2022). Still, their capability to live up to this prospect is impeded by a lack of consistent scope of practice regulations across states. The scope of nursing practice is limited by regulation and legislature, including through the Nursing Practice Act. (Boehning & Haddad, 2023) The purpose of these guidelines is to keep nurses within their competency levels, while at the same time, they may limit the utilization of such a variety of skills and judgment of the nurses. This article will look into the current extent of NPs’ scope of practice, the measures taken to widen it, and the central role of nursing professional organizations in advocating for these changes. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Future Role as an Advanced Registered Nurse
In the role of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) specialized Advanced Registered Nurse in Nursing Education, future jobs will have specifically tailored functions fitting the field of education and developing professional competencies among nurses. Nurse educators are critical in equipping the next generation of nurses and constantly inspiring the existing nursing workforce to advance their knowledge and skills (Flaubert et al., 2021). In nursing education, tasks could include curriculum development, instructional materials design, teaching in academic settings, supervision of clinical experiences, and mentorship of nursing students.
Regulatory, certification, and accreditation bodies take a very central place in defining what this scope of learning will be all about by providing a guideline that is meant to be followed so that the learning for nursing professionals is of the best quality. The regulatory agencies, such as state nursing boards and accrediting organizations, including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), set the standards and requirements (Spector et al., 2020). They aim to confirm that the nursing education programs attain stringent quality and safety regulations. Certification in nursing education is vital for improved care standards and essential for nurses who want to receive high expertise (Mlambo et al., 2021). Examples are the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), which is issued by the National League for Nursing (NLN), and the Nurse Educator Certification (NE-BC) issued by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Those certifications are the best evidence of an ability to meet the highest standards of nursing education. They could be the entrance or advanced qualification for academic or leadership positions in educational institutions.
Extending the range of nursing education can include lobbying for more financial and material support for nursing education programs, introducing alternative teaching techniques and technologies, and joint work with other healthcare institutions to provide clinical placements and hands-on student learning experiences. Nursing education is a crucial factor in coping with workforce shortages. Besides this, it is also critical to ensure diversity and inclusion at all levels of the nursing profession. Nursing educators are also responsible for improving patient outcomes by constantly developing the best nursing professionals (Mlambo et al., 2021). Thus, it becomes vital to keep oneself updated on regulatory changes, pursue self-development activities, and advance nursing education with research, scholarship, and leadership. Through continuing to promote excellence and meeting the needs of nursing students and educators, ARNs can assume the role of a transformer in the sphere of nursing education, which, in the end, will enhance patient care outcomes. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Professional Nursing Organizations
Professional associations of nurses are an effective force in turning the tide of healthcare into a more progressive landscape. In particular, the representation, influence, and scope of advanced nursing positions are enhanced by such organizations (Chiu et al., 2021). Three influential organizations stand out in this regard:
American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
The AANP, boasting over 385,000 members, holds a prominent position as the largest professional association for Nurse Practitioners (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2023). It serves as a cornerstone for NPs’ national representation and advocacy. Central to its mission, the AANP champions the role of NPs in enhancing healthcare delivery nationwide. One of its key advocacy efforts is promoting practice authority, allowing NPs to practice independently, thereby improving access to quality care, particularly in underserved communities (AANP, 2020). I sincerely believe in the proposition advocated for by the AANP to enhance the NP profession, which shares my core principles of evidence-based care and patient advocacy. Membership in the AANP would benefit education advancement, networking, and advocacy issues, making it possible to take my quality and patient-centered care to greater levels.
American Nurses Association (ANA)
Apart from being the largest professional nursing association in the US, the ANA represents all nurses, including Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners. Their advocacy efforts capture a broad spectrum of issues, which include patient safety, facilities, and nurse’s professionalism. As ANA advocates for expanding the scope of APRNs’ practice to ensure patient safety, the association’s focus extends beyond APRNs to encompass the entire nursing profession (Boehning & Punsalan, 2023). While I acknowledge the ANA’s importance in lobbying for nursing, my career goals are more closely aligned with the focus on nursing education rather than advanced practice nursing.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF)
The NONPF is a professional association catering to nurse practitioner faculty and educational programs focusing on advanced practice nursing issues. The role of preceptors is crucial as they provide students with the needed skills and competencies for competent practice within the expanded scope (Chair et al., 2023). Given my interest in nursing education, membership in the NONPF would offer me invaluable opportunities to contribute to the development of future nurse practitioners. It aligns with my passion for educating and mentoring future generations of nurses, ultimately allowing me to make a meaningful impact on the nursing profession. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
The NONPF emerges as the organization that most closely corresponds with my professional goals and principles in nursing education. The organization’s unwavering commitment to improving the educational benchmarks and methodologies for nurse practitioners strikes a chord with my enthusiasm for instructing and guiding aspiring nurses. Belonging to the NONPF would afford aspiring nurse practitioners invaluable opportunities to contribute to developing innovative educational curricula, instructional methods, and clinical training experiences. Moreover, membership in the NONPF community would provide entry to a network of scholars and practitioners specializing in the domain, promoting cooperation and exchanging information to elevate the standard of nursing education nationally. Engaging with the NONPF would ultimately allow me to actively contribute to formulating nursing education’s trajectory, thereby granting me the capacity to influence the vocational growth of aspiring nurse practitioners significantly.
Controversial or Evolving Issue
The accreditation standards and regulations for nursing education programs are a prominent component expected to impact nursing education practice significantly. Within the dynamic healthcare environment, there is an increasing focus on ensuring the provision of sufficient nursing education programs that equip nurses with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the requirements of the contemporary healthcare landscape (Spector et al., 2020). Nevertheless, the question of whether and how accreditation standards should be developed and implemented is still disputed. Those against the stricter accreditation standards argue that such standards may burden the nursing education programs, leading to a less diversified and reduced nursing workforce. However, proponents argue that raising the accreditation standards will guard the quality and integrity of nursing education, which benefits the patients and the healthcare system.
This matter entails critical ramifications for nurses and other stakeholders. Higher accreditation standards will probably ensure a better education outcome, the best nurse preparation, and the highest level of patient care (Frank et al., 2020). Nevertheless, it may be hard for some nursing programs, especially those without extra resources or working with vulnerable populations. This matter hits me quintessentially as a future Nursing Education specialist because it determines the quality of education that I will give future nurses. Certifying nursing education programs to the highest accreditation standards is crucial to provide nurses with the knowledge, abilities, and competencies needed to work confidently and effectively with various healthcare providers. I hope to improve patient care and nursing education by actively participating in conversations and recommendations for evidence-based nursing instruction. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Conclusion
Individuals in the Nursing profession must acknowledge the dynamic nature of the healthcare environment and the crucial significance of Advanced Registered Nurses (ARNs). Pursuing nursing education encompasses more than individual progress; it also entails making valuable contributions to the future of nursing practice through educational endeavors and mentorship. By actively participating in professional nursing organizations such as the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF), individuals can connect with industry experts and utilize their knowledge and skills to improve the standards and practices of nursing education. I want to ensure that future nurses receive the best education and can provide excellent patient care in an ever-changing healthcare environment by advocating for innovative teaching methods and working with other educators. I stay committed to excellence in nursing education because I believe well-prepared nurses are the foundation of a healthier future.
References
AANP. (2020). About the American Association of Nurse Practitioners® (AANP). American Association of Nurse Practitioners; AANP Website. https://www.aanp.org/about/about-the-american-association-of-nurse-practitioners-aanp
American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2023, November 13). Nurse practitioner profession grows to 385,000 strong. American Association of Nurse Practitioners. https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/nurse-practitioner-profession-grows-to-385-000-strong
Boehning, A. P., & Haddad, L. M. (2023, July 17). Nursing Practice Act. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559012/
Boehning, A. P., & Punsalan, L. D. (2023, March 1). Advanced Practice Nurse Roles. PubMed; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK589698/
Chair, S. Y., Wong, F. K. Y., Bryant-Lukosius, D., Liu, T., & Jokiniemi, K. (2023). Construct validity of advanced practice nurse core competence scale: An exploratory factor analysis. BMC Nursing, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-023-01203-1
Chiu, P., Cummings, G. G., Thorne, S., & Schick-Makaroff, K. (2021). Policy advocacy and nursing organizations: A scoping review. Policy, Politics, & Nursing Practice, 22(4), 276–296. https://doi.org/10.1177/15271544211050611
Flaubert, J. L., Menestrel, S. L., Williams, D. R., & Wakefield, M. K. (2021). Educating nurses for the future. In www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Academies Press (US). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK573912
Frank, J. R., Taber, S., van Zanten, M., Scheele, F., & Blouin, D. (2020). The role of accreditation in 21st century health professions education: Report of an international consensus group. BMC Medical Education, 20(S1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02121-
Mlambo, M., Silén, C., & McGrath, C. (2021). Lifelong learning and nurses’ continuing professional development, a metasynthesis of the literature. BMC Nursing, 20(62), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-021-00579-2
Savard, I., Al Hakim, G., & Kilpatrick, K. (2022). The added value of the nurse practitioner: An evolutionary concept analysis. Nursing Open, 10(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/nop2.1512
Spector, N., Silvestre, J., Alexander, M., Martin, B., Hooper, J. I., Squires, A., & Ojemeni, M. (2020). NCSBN regulatory guidelines and evidence-based quality indicators for nursing education programs. Journal of Nursing Regulation, 11(2), S1–S64. https://doi.org/10.1016/s2155-8256(20)30075-2 Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Appendix
APA Writing Checklist
Use this document as a checklist for each paper you will write throughout your GCU graduate program. Follow specific instructions indicated in the assignment and use this checklist to help ensure correct grammar and APA formatting. Refer to the APA resources available in the GCU Library and Student Success Center.
☒ APA paper template (located in the Student Success Center/Writing Center) is utilized for the correct format of the paper. APA style is applied, and format is correct throughout.
☒ The title page is present. APA format is applied correctly. There are no errors.
☒ The introduction is present. APA format is applied correctly. There are no errors.
☒ Topic is well defined.
☒ Strong thesis statement is included in the introduction of the paper.
☒ The thesis statement is consistently threaded throughout the paper and included in the conclusion.
☒ Paragraph development: Each paragraph has an introductory statement, two or three sentences as the body of the paragraph, and a transition sentence to facilitate the flow of information. The sections of the main body are organized to reflect the main points of the author. APA format is applied correctly. There are no errors.
☒ All sources are cited. APA style and format are correctly applied and are free from error.
☒ Sources are completely and correctly documented on a References page, as appropriate to assignment and APA style, and format is free of error.
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Scholarly Resources: Scholarly resources are written with a focus on a specific subject discipline and usually written by an expert in the same subject field. Scholarly resources are written for an academic audience.
Examples of Scholarly Resources include: Academic journals, books written by experts in a field, and formally published encyclopedias and dictionaries. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
Peer-Reviewed Journals: Peer-reviewed journals are evaluated prior to publication by experts in the journal’s subject discipline. This process ensures that the articles published within the journal are academically rigorous and meet the required expectations of an article in that subject discipline.
Empirical Journal Article: This type of scholarly resource is a subset of scholarly articles that reports the original finding of an observational or experimental research study. Common aspects found within an empirical article include: literature review, methodology, results, and discussion.
Adapted from “Evaluating Resources: Defining Scholarly Resources,” located in Research Guides in the GCU Library.
☒ The writer is clearly in command of standard, written, academic English. Utilize writing resources such as Grammarly, LopesWrite report, and ThinkingStorm to check your writing. Benchmark – Future Scope, Role and Professional Obligations
