Introduction
The core competencies possessed by Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) are critical towards the delivery of evidence-based care. Cooke, Gemmill, and Grant (2011) believe that “APNs have the potential to improve the health outcomes of many patients” (p. 216). They reduce most of the complications and readmissions associated with various health problems. APNs should also focus on new strategies and competencies to support the changing health needs of their respective patients. Every specialty requires specific competencies and skills. Proper knowledge of the core competencies possessed by APNs can produce the best health outcomes (Wu, Wang, Wu, & Guo, 2014). This essay gives a detailed description of an interview with an Advanced Practice Nurse. The essay also identifies the competencies possessed by the targeted APN.
Description of the NONPF NP Core Competencies
The NONPF NP core competencies “are relevant because they make it easier for practitioners to provide patient-centered and evidence-based care to their patients” (Jackson, 2015, p. 117). Nurse Practitioners (NPs) should apply their competencies in order to improve healthcare delivery (Cooke et al., 2011). The major NP core competencies are grouped into nine groups. Every NP should have a strong foundation in scientific methods. Such skills make it easier for NPs to use their knowledge from different fields. This practice can improve the quality of nursing practice. They should also embrace new practices based on various skills and theories. They should also possess powerful leadership traits in order to implement new changes (Wu et al., 2014). They should always advocate for improved healthcare. NPS should be able to mentor, empower, and communicate with other practitioners.
Such practitioners should also use peer-reviewed ideas to promote the nature of care. Nurse Practitioners are expected “to use different pieces of evidence in order to improve the quality of patient care” (Wu et al., 2014, p. 368). Such NPs should also have the best information and technology competencies. These skills will make it easier for them to design new systems that can result in appropriate health support. APNs should be aware of different ethical issues in order to improve the quality of healthcare available to different patients. APNs “should apply ethically sound opinions and suggestions in order to solve every complex health issue” (Jackson, 2015, p. 117). They should be ready to make ethical decisions whenever providing adequate care to their patients.
According to Wu et al. (2014), APNs should have powerful competencies and skills in order to operate independently. For instance, they must portray the highest level of integrity. They should manage their patients in a professional manner in order to get the best health outcomes. It is appropriate for healthcare professionals to manage the health positions of different families and their patients. The above competencies will eventually produce the best health outcomes. APNs should evaluate and examine how different healthcare practices affect the quality of care availed to different patients, families, and stakeholders (Wu et al., 2014). These practices will eventually minimize most of the risks encountered in different healthcare settings. The possession of these skills can improve the quality of care availed to many populations.
Description of the Interview with the APN
The interview was relevant because it outlined the major competencies that can improve the nature of advanced nursing. The interviewee was working as a Family Nurse Practitioner. The interviewee was encouraged to describe her experiences as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN). According to her, APNs should possess the best abilities, skills, competencies, and knowledge in order to become qualified providers of quality care to persons with diverse needs (Jackson, 2015). The interviewee was also focusing on new skills in order to become a competent provider of quality care. The questions presented below were asked during the interview.
- What motivates you as an Advanced Practice Nurse?
- What competencies and skills are essential in your field of practice?
- What core competencies are required in nursing?
- How do you improve your competencies as an APN?
- What recommendations can you suggest to those who want to achieve their goals as healthcare practitioners?
The interview was successful because the participant presented quality answers to the above questions. The respondent was also lively and answered every question with much precision. She was also willing to highlight her personal details and skills. Such skills support her career goals. The interviewee also explained why medical practitioners should have their unique philosophies. Such strengths will eventually produce the best health outcomes. The APN identified different practices, strategies, and competencies that can support the needs of many caregivers (Jackson, 2015). Such competencies should be embraced in every healthcare practice in order to achieve the best outcomes.
Analysis of the Discussed APN competencies
Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) should possess the required abilities and skills in an attempt to achieve their goals. Such skills make it easier for many practitioners to become independent providers of quality care. They should possess various analytical skills in order to continue improving their competencies. They should always embrace modern technologies. Such technologies will make it easier for them to provide adequate care to more populations. The interviewee presented powerful ideas that can be used to transform the nature of the nursing practice. The respondent also explained why “learning in nursing should be a long-life process” (Cooke et al., 2011, p. 219). This learning process can equip NPs with new skills in order to address the changing health needs of different patients.
The interviewee outlined various competencies that should be possessed by different Advanced Practice Nurses. The “first APN skill is clinical and professional leadership” (Jackson, 2015, p. 117). According to the respondent, APNs should be able to liaise and interact with other caregivers in order to provide adequate patient care. They should be able to make accurate decisions that can eventually produce the best outcomes. Such APNs should be role models. The second competence is collaboration. APNs should collaborate with different persons and caregivers in order to get the best results. They should also form different teams. Members of every team should be aware of the targeted health outcomes. The interviewee used such competencies in order to get the best results. It is mandatory for NPs to be good decision-makers. They should always identify various ethical issues affecting their patients. They should implement various studies in a professional manner. They should always “report various issues and concerns to the right authorities” (Cooke et al., 2011, p. 221).
APNs should be ready to guide and coach other practitioners. NPs must use evidence-based ideas to develop powerful concepts that can fulfill the changing needs of different populations. It is appropriate for NPs to read widely in order to improve their competencies. This practice will encourage them to provide evidence-based support to families with diverse needs. The possession of adequate research skills encourages medical practitioners to identify new practices that will result in better interventions (Jackson, 2015). The respondent also explained why NPS should be proponents of new changes in healthcare. NPS can use such competencies to identify new practices that can address various health challenges. They should also define their nursing philosophies depending on the targeted career expectations. Such attributes will ensure every community gets the best medical support.
Conclusion
This interview has identified specific competencies that can support the health needs of many families and patients. APNs should always collaborate with other caregivers in order to provide evidence-care to every patient. Collaboration is a powerful strategy because it has the potential to deliver the best results. NPs should be able to make complex decisions. Such decisions will ensure every healthcare facility supports the health needs of its patients. They should also be able “to communicate effectively with various stakeholders such as caregivers, patients, family-members, and community workers” (Wu et al., 2014, p. 369). The use of modern informatics and technologies will ensure every community gets the best health care. APNs should read more books and articles in order to improve their competencies in medical practice. NPs should use modern technologies in order to reduce medical errors. This practice will ensure more people get the best medical care. The purpose of nursing is to support and improve the health outcomes of every person. More interviews should also be conducted in order to identify new practices that can support the changing health needs of many populations.
Reference List
Cooke, L., Gemmill, R., & Grant, M. (2011). APN Core Competencies: A Framework for Developing and Testing an APN Discharge Intervention. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 22(5), 213-225.
Jackson, C. (2015). The AHNCC Core Competencies: A Clear Foundation for Holistic Leadership, Teaching, and Practice. Holistic Nursing Practice, 29(2), 117-118.
Wu, F., Wang, Y., Wu, Y., & Guo, M. (2014). Application of nursing core competency standard education in the training of nursing undergraduates. International Journal of Nursing Sciences, 1(4), 367-370.