Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion
Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion
Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program.
My choice of nursing specialty is Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), particularly Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioners (PMHNP). I have worked in psychiatry for more than sixteen years, fourteen years of which I worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and two years as a Registered Nurse. During this time, I developed an appreciation of APRN, especially their ability to work independently, and involvement in therapeutic and long-term care. In addition, I am aware of the significant shortcomings in psychiatric care delivery, particularly the stigma associated with mental health and specialist personnel shortages. In practicing as an APRN specialized as a PMHNP, I hope to address the stigma associated with mental health proactively, and add to the growing numbers of APRN. Besides that, I have always been fascinated by mental health, particularly its intangibility and subjectivity when evaluating patients to understand their needs. There is much room for development in mental health care, and I feel that working as an APRN positions me to grow personally and professionally within the profession Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion.
ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE
Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision.
I am a resident of California State, work in the state, and intend to continue practicing within the state professionally. Making the choice for APRN was made difficult by the state regulations restricting independent nursing practice. Currently, nurse practitioners can only practice with standardized procedures within a group setting. In fact, the state laws require nurse practitioners (including APRNs) to work with physician oversight. This restricted practice implies APRNs and other nurse practitioners who have completed additional education preparing them to deliver a broad range of nursing services cannot practice independently. The implication is that the state suffers from lower supply of nurse practitioners, poor access to care, lower use of primary care services, and greater rates of hospitalization and emergency department visits (Spetz, 2019)Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion.
Nonetheless, there has been a change in state legislation. Assembly Bill 890 allows nurse practitioners (including APRNs) to practice independently without standardized procedures outside a group setting after 2026. This implies that as an APRN, will be allowed to practice independently within the scope of my clinical and professional education and training. I see the change in legislation as an opportunity, and look to leverage that opportunity by getting my APRN qualifications and ensuring that I am strategically positioned to practice independence in California state after 2026 (California Board of Registered Nursing, 2026)Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion.
Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.
The American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is a professional organization affiliated with PMHNP. The organization acts as a community of PMHNP as it provides a platform for members to connect with other PMHNP who understand their experiences, and find tools to keep their practice current such as continuing education, evidence-based resources and dynamic collaboration. The organization offers membership at different levels. Regular members must be registered nurses engaged as mental health professionals and pay a membership fee of $135.00. Affiliate members can be other mental health professionals who are not registered nurses and pay a membership fee of $135.00. International members are nurses who work as mental health professionals but do not reside in the USA, and pay a membership fee of $135.00. Active duty military members as full-time US military personnel on active duty, and pay a membership fee of $75.00. Retired members are retired registered nurses interested in being involved in the psychiatric-mental health nursing community, and pay a membership fee of $75.00. Student members are engaged in full-time study in a nursing degree program, and pay a membership fee of $25.00 (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, 2023).
References
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (2023). Membership in APNA. https://www.apna.org/membership/
California Board of Registered Nursing (2023). Assembly Bill 890 – Status Update. https://www.rn.ca.gov/practice/ab890.shtml
Spetz, J. (2019, May 2). California’s Nurse Practitioners: How Scope of Practice Laws Impact Care. https://www.chcf.org/publication/californias-nurse-practitioners/ Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion
Main Post
I am a board-certified Adult Clinical Nurse Specialist since 2005. There were a few reasons why I transitioned into this APRN role. One of the reasons is experiential or situational. I worked in the ICU for 3 years and my small frame just could not handle taking care of patients who require total care because of their big habitus. The physical workload and stress took a toll on my back. I observed the APRNs in the hospital who have similar roles as the physicians so I figured I would want to be one of them—no lifting or turning patients means absence of extra stress on the body. Another reason is professional. I wanted to transition to the “expert” role which to me is more challenging. As APRN you have a level of medical autonomy and decision-making which is beyond the RN autonomy. The accountability is much higher thus the liability insurance requirement. Next reason is financial. Of course, the paycheck is higher and work schedule is more flexible.
I contemplated on CNS versus NP certification at that time but pursued CNS instead due to difficulty with access to the NP program. My residence was far from the closest university that offered an NP program, and at that time there was no totally online degrees. The NP school required on-site attendance once a week which was difficult for me because I worked full time in the hospital, so the CNS program was more accessible. Another reason I preferred CNS over NP was the utility of CNSs in the hospital which employed more CNSs than NPs. I wanted to focus on hospital-based practice which greatly influenced my decision.
I had 15 years of APRN experience in both outpatient and inpatient setting. Recently has transitioned to solely acute care. The hospital I am currently employed required Acute Care certification thus I’m back to school again Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion.
I am a member of the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists for several years now, both nationally and locally. To be a member is quite simple. Of course, you need to complete the degree with or without prescriptive authority. You can visit the website at NACNS :: National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Links to an external site., explore the benefits and obtain membership information. There is a monthly or yearly membership. Continuing education and networking resources are also available as well as links to other collaborating professionals.
I am also a member of the American College of Gastroenterology Allied Professionals group. The main requirement is that one has to be a certified APRN or PA in good standing. There is also a membership category for physicians. This is an international organization so there are opportunities to meet international scientists and academic leaders. There is membership and free access to publications, research, guidelines, continuing education, networking, and grand rounds.
Professional memberships are very important for career and personal growth as well, and there are several to choose from. Nursing is a dynamic profession with different roles that continue to evolve so we need to keep up with these changes for the consumers’ and our own sake.
Advanced Practice Providers – American College of Gastroenterology (gi.org)Links to an external site.
NACNS :: National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists Links to an external site.,
EXAMINING NURSING SPECIALTIES
You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.
Decisions are often not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice. Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion
Note: Unless otherwise noted, initial postings to Discussions are due on or before Day 3, and response postings are due on or before Day 6. You are required to participate in the Discussion on at least three different days (a different day for main post and each response). It is important to adhere to the weekly time frame to allow others ample time to respond to your posting. In addition, you are expected to respond to questions directed toward your own initial posting in a timely manner.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
ORDER TODAY
WEEKLY RESOURCES
To Prepare: Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion
Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
Just a little background to go off of. My state is California to reference any laws or regulations. My decision to pursue the APRN role is because I have worked in Psych for over sixteen years fourteen as a Licensed Vocational Nurse and two years as a Registered Nurse and would like to work more independent and be involved more therapeutic and long term with my patients. I choose Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner because it has always been needed and overlooked due to its stigma. Mental health is greatly needed today and a lack of providers. I personally didn’t have any difficulties making my choice because once I was introduced to mental health, I fell in love with it. Every specialty has their issues, but they can always be resolved.
BY DAY 3 OF WEEK 10
Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member Examining Nursing Specialties Assignment Discussion