NRNP 6675 Assignment 2: National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Competencies
(NONPF) Competencies
The nine competency areas of the national organization of the nurse practitioner faculties (NONPF), although not required to be part of the curriculum of any nursing program, has proved to be critical in the success of most NP students, not only during their education, but as they pursue their careers. As a PMHNP student, I will describe how these competencies have prepared and will guide me in my career.
Scientific Foundation
Evidence based research one of the core emphases in this competency, has proved to be valuable as the knowledge gained from my Nursing Research courses have exposed me to vast knowledge on core important areas and how the use of data that can help assess, enhance, and improve healthcare delivery. In the practicum setting, I was able to use my knowledge gained from studies on cultural competence and sensitivity to realize how patient behaviors and attitudes were sometimes related to their background and use this knowledge to improve quality of care.
Leadership
Leadership courses at Walden University enable me to become a more confident person, allowing me to realize how
all the qualities and strength I possessed could be utilized in a more efficient manner, and how my perceived weakness were not necessary handicaps, but qualities that I could still use to become more sensitive to the needs of my patients and a better advocate.
Quality
This competency has provided me with knowledge on caring for my patients using cost effective methods that do not necessarily have to impact quality of care and safety. Courses on billing and coding have exposed me to realize that Healthcare can be quite expensive and extensive thought is needed on the most cost-effective way to care for our patients.
Practice Inquiry
This competency enables NPs understand and use research materials to improve quality of care. and translate that information into practice. Various case studies presented gave me the opportunity to assess and identify possible patient prognosis in order to treat patients efficiently by using the appropriate tools and identifying the appropriate diagnosis.
Technology and Information Literacy
In Nursing Informatics, I learned the importance of allowing the patient to be part of the decision-making process in their care by providing them direct access to their Health care information. According to Li et al., (2022) information literacy is key to evidence-based nursing. and technology has provided us with up-to-date information to provide quality care to patients.
Policy
In the course of my studies at Walden University, I came to realize nurses do have a voice and can and have affected health care reformation. I have also joined several Nursing organizations to keep current of health care policies and how I can be an effective change agent in the Healthcare field. Nursing professional associations provide similar opportunities. For many nurses, social media, while not without its risks, offers a familiar and accessible platform by which to engage patients, the public, and policymakers in planned, strategic steps to create policy change and improve healthcare for patients. (Anders, 2021)
Health Delivery System
The importance of quality of health care services was stressed from the nursing assessment and carried throughout the program in addition to the practicum requirement. Improving the value and quality of healthcare in the USA is a public health priority.1 As the prevalence of chronic disease grows, individuals, employers, and insurers are seeking ways to reduce cost while improving healthcare quality and outcomes. (Veet et al; 2020). Courses provided including knowledge on Billing and coding gave me the opportunity to realize how the quality and cost of healthcare can be affected by our decisions as primary providers.
Ethics
Advanced Nurse practitioners as well as other professionals in Health care are faced with ethical dilemmas almost on a daily basis and it is important, we make decisions that do not compromise our integrity. Developing ethical awareness is one way to empower nurses to act as moral agents in order to provide patients with safe and ethical care (Miliken, 2018).
Independent Practice
One of the assignments done this quarter enable us to research the requirements of our state regarding Independendent Practice. In Maryland where I reside, NP’s can practice independently and this knowledge has made me to think of the vast opportunities I have to practice independently, as well as the great responsibility attached to this privilege.
Proposing change for social change
Walden University has always emphasized the fact that the education provided by the Institution encourages the students who go through the school, as change agents in their community and beyond if possible. As a Psych Mental health Nurse Practioner, I intend impacting the community I live in to recognize Mental Health as an illness that deserves the compassion of the community, and people with Mental Health challenges with the compassion and dignity that they deserve. I also intend enlightening my country-of-origin Nigeria, on the challenges faced by people suffering from Mental illness and the need to provide adequate resources to cater for this community.
Legislative/Advocacy
The Nurse Practitioner Association of Maryland (NPAM) is the unifying voice for all nurse practitioners in the state. The organization provides consistency and expertise in guiding the profession, expanding the NP role, and also provides information and serves as an advocate for those outside the nurse practitioner (NP) role and they are able to do this due to their collective
Strength as a group. (NPAM, n.d).
Walden University curriculum has provided me with the tools to go into my community as a knowledgeable, competent and compassionate Health Practitioner uniquely poised to treat my patients and effect positive change.
References
Anders R. L. (2021). Engaging nurses in health policy in the era of COVID-19. Nursing forum, 56(1), 89–94. https://doi.org/10.1111/nuf.12514
Korbecka, A. M. (2018). Independent Practice by APRNs. AJN, American Journal of Nursing, 118(5), 13. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.naj.0000532812.12208.f1
Li, X., Zhang, J. Y., Zheng, Y. X., Wang, Y. X., & Hao, W. N. (2022). Factors associated with information literacy of nursing undergraduates in China. BMC nursing, 21(1), 81. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-022-00855-9
Milliken, A. (2018, January 31). Ethical Awareness: What It Is and Why It Matters. Ojin.nursingworld.org. https://ojin.nursingworld.org/MainMenuCategories/ANAMarketplace/ANAPeriodicals/OJIN/TableofContents/Vol-23-2018/No1-Jan-2018/Ethical-Awareness.html
Nurse practitioner association of Maryland. The Legislative and Clinical Practice Environment in Maryland. (n.d.). Retrieved August 9, 2022, from https://npamonline.org/ (NPAM, n.d)
Veet, C. A., Radomski, T. R., D’Avella, C., Hernandez, I., Wessel, C., Swart, E., … & Parekh, N.
(2020). Impact of healthcare delivery system type on clinical, utilization, and cost outcomes of patient-centered medical homes: A systematic review. Journal of general internal medicine, 35(4), 1276-1284.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) is the single organization purposely dedicated to supporting high-quality education for nurse practitioners (NPs). It acknowledges that NPs are responsible for providing a significant degree of patient care, and thus their education must be robust, relevant, and innovative (Pulcini et al., 2019). The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the PMHNP program has prepared meet to meet the NONPF competencies, how I plan to participate in social change as an NP and explore legislative activities by professional organizations in Georgia.
Scientific Foundations
The PMHNP program equipped me with comprehensive knowledge of medical sciences, which is crucial in building a solid scientific foundation. Besides, the program equipped me with vast knowledge of psychiatric clinical practice guidelines, evidence-based practice, treatment of vulnerable and diverse patient populations in psychiatry, and translational research. Consequently, I can think critically and apply evidence from research to improve clinical practice. I can also incorporate findings from research to improve practice interventions and patient outcomes.
Leadership
The program has prepared me to meet the competency by equipping me with professional accountability, scholarship, and advocacy knowledge. I have learned about my scope of practice as a PMHNP and expected standards of practice, which are essential in leading healthcare teams. During the PMHNP program, I was trained on participation in professional organizations for NPs, cultural sensitivity, and communication skills, which are vital for PMHNP in leadership positions. As a result, I can advocate for efficient, cost-effective, and quality health care and join professional nursing organizations and advocacy groups to enhance healthcare.
Quality
The program has equipped me with the knowledge and skills to access and utilize information databases and understand how to evaluate research findings analytically. Thus, I have learned to apply the ideal and most current research findings to clinical practice. Besides, I can analyze the complex relationships between healthcare cost, access, safety, and quality. I can also evaluate the impact of organizational structures, policy, and financial management on healthcare. The program has prepared me with knowledge on modifying care to every practice situation and applying interventions as required.
Practice Inquiry
The PMHNP program has prepared me to meet the practice inquiry competency through courses on translational research. I have been trained to translate new knowledge into clinical practice through leadership and utilize clinical experiences to direct practice and enhance patient outcomes. I have also been equipped with investigative skills, which I can apply in the clinical setting to strengthen healthcare and foster practice inquiry. Lastly, I have been trained to convey knowledge from inquiry to other providers and think critically about applying clinical guidelines in the clinical setting.
Technology and Information Literacy
The program had informatics courses that equipped me with vast knowledge and skills in utilizing communications tools, digital technology, and networks. I apply this to access, manage, incorporate, assess, create, and effectively convey information. The program has enabled me to apply various technologies to improve patients’ safety and health outcomes. Therefore, I can utilize health information technologies to evaluate patient care and manage information.
Policy
The program has prepared me to meet the policy competency through courses on health policy. I learned about strategies that I can apply to influence legislation to improve health issues and social problems. Consequently, I have gained insight into the interdependence of clinical practice and policy and how to promote ethical strategies to improve healthcare access, cost, and quality. I can create health policies, evaluate the cross-disciplinary effect of policy, and analyze the impact of globalization on healthcare policy.
Health Delivery System
The program has prepared me to meet this competency through training in planning, development, and implementing community and public health programs. I can integrate the knowledge of organizations and systems to enhance healthcare and use negotiation and relationship-building skills to impact healthcare positively. Furthermore, I can analyze the effect of the healthcare system on stakeholders and critically analyze organizational structures and the allocation of resources.
Ethics
The program has prepared me to meet the competency in ethics through courses on healthcare ethics, where I learned the ethical consequences of scientific advances. I also learned to address ethical dilemmas specific to a patient population by applying ethics in decision-making. In this program, I learned to analyze the ethical impact of clinical decisions and the ethical complexities in delivering healthcare to individuals and communities.
Independent Practice
The PMHNP program has prepared me to meet the independent practice competency by equipping me with immense knowledge and skills that enable me to practice as a licensed independent PMHNP. The program comprised courses on advanced practice nursing, where I gained skills in assessing, diagnosing, and treating patients with mental health disorders. As a result, I can practice effectively as an autonomous PMHNP and under the highest degree of accountability. I can also manage clients independently and provide culturally competent care.
How I Plan To Engage In Social Change in My Community as a Nurse Practitioner
NPs have the potential to positively impact their communities through patient advocacy and the delivery of high-quality care. As a PMHNP, I plan to participate in social change through advocacy initiatives to improve access to quality and cost-effective care for all citizens (Russell, 2020). I will achieve this by identifying areas that would benefit from new policies or amendments to existing policies that limit access to care for individuals. For instance, I will apply my knowledge in health policy to formulate a policy proposal, present it to a legislator in Georgia, and convince them to introduce the proposal to the state’s House of Representatives for enactment. In addition, I will engage in social change through community health outreach programs that will empower individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will promote better health outcomes.
Legislative and Advocacy Activities That Georgia NP Organizations Are Involved In
Atlanta Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (ACGAPRN) is a professional organization for APRNs that seeks to address APRNs’ practice, legislative, and political issues in Atlanta, GA. ACGAPRN is a collective voice for APRNs in Atlanta and fosters the professional role recognition of APRNs of Atlanta, including community involvement, education, and student support (ACGAPRN, n.d.). ACGAPRN has been involved in legislative activities like the GA House Bill 430, which is meant to amend Chapter 26 of Title 43 of the O.C.G.A. on the provision of licensure of APRNs. It has also been involved in amending a bill relating to the sale, distribution, and possession of DDA drugs, definitions related to state health planning and development, and home health agencies (ACGAPRN, n.d.).
Conclusion
The PMHNP program has equipped me with immense knowledge and skills that have helped me to meet the nine NONPF core competencies. I plan to engage in social change in my community through participating in advocacy initiatives and community health outreach programs. Professional organizations in Georgia include ACGAPRN, which addresses practice, legislative, and political issues of APRNs.
References
ACGAPRN. (n.d.). The Atlanta Chapter United Advanced Practice Registered Nurses | ENP Network. https://agaprn.enpnetwork.com/
Pulcini, J., Hanson, C., & Johnson, J. (2019). National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties: A 40-year history of preparing nurse practitioners for practice. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(11), 633–639. https://doi.org/10.1097/JXX.0000000000000330
Russell, N. (2020). America Needs Nurse Practitioners to Advocate for Social Justice. The journal for nurse practitioners: JNP, 16(9), 710–711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.06.024