An issue in nurse practitioner (NP) practice
Select an issue in nurse practitioner (NP) practice that is of interest to you and in which you would like to see a practice change occur. Conduct a review of literature to see what is currently known about the topic. In 2 paragraphs, describe the scope and relevance of the issue and your recommended change. Provide reference support from at least two outside scholarly sources to support your ideas. Please pick something you can do as a NP in your practice that is patient focused. Your intervention needs to relate to a measurable patient health outcome. Please avoid anything that would require a policy or law change, such as full-practice authority. Burnout and satisfaction surveys also are not appropriate topics as they are not patient centered.
Sample Solution
The issue I would like to see a practice change occur in the Nurse Practitioner (NP) field is increasing access to health care services for underserved communities. This is especially pertinent given that individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face a number of life-limiting obstacles when it comes to accessing quality medical attention such as lack of resources, transportation, or insurance coverage (Gibson et al., 2018).
In order to improve accessibility NP’s must make use of innovative strategies such as mobile clinics or remote monitoring technology which can help bring essential care directly into patients homes (Neale & Cohen 2017). Moreover, legislative initiatives must be enacted so that those without regular health insurance can still receive necessary treatment( Hillegas et al., 2019). Additionally, expanding scope of practice laws could allow NPs work independently without physician oversight allowing them serve as primary care providers within their own practices ( Grimes et al., 2016) .
Moreover, providing culturally competent care is paramount when working with underserved populations since this helps promote trust between provider and patient whilst also improving overall healthcare outcomes (Grindle & Phillips 2017). Utilizing interpreters and tailoring communication styles according cultural norms are some means through which this can achieved. Also educational programs should created train both established NPs plus students on best approaches needed build successful relationships with diverse patients.
In conclusion , even though numerous measures have already been implemented increase accessibility healthcare services amongst underserved communities there still much left done. Adopting advanced technologies along with enacting policies towards enhancing NP scope of practice will go long way towards providing equitable access vital medical assistance regardless one’s financial status .
