NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Walden University NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties– Step-By-Step Guide
This guide will demonstrate how to complete the Walden University NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties assignment based on general principles of academic writing. Here, we will show you the A, B, Cs of completing an academic paper, irrespective of the instructions. After guiding you through what to do, the guide will leave one or two sample essays at the end to highlight the various sections discussed below.
How to Research and Prepare for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Whether one passes or fails an academic assignment such as the Walden University NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties depends on the preparation done beforehand. The first thing to do once you receive an assignment is to quickly skim through the requirements. Once that is done, start going through the instructions one by one to clearly understand what the instructor wants. The most important thing here is to understand the required format—whether it is APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.
After understanding the requirements of the paper, the next phase is to gather relevant materials. The first place to start the research process is the weekly resources. Go through the resources provided in the instructions to determine which ones fit the assignment. After reviewing the provided resources, use the university library to search for additional resources. After gathering sufficient and necessary resources, you are now ready to start drafting your paper.
How to Write the Introduction for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
The introduction for the Walden University NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties is where you tell the instructor what your paper will encompass. In three to four statements, highlight the important points that will form the basis of your paper. Here, you can include statistics to show the importance of the topic you will be discussing. At the end of the introduction, write a clear purpose statement outlining what exactly will be contained in the paper. This statement will start with “The purpose of this paper…” and then proceed to outline the various sections of the instructions.
How to Write the Body for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
After the introduction, move into the main part of the NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties assignment, which is the body. Given that the paper you will be writing is not experimental, the way you organize the headings and subheadings of your paper is critically important. In some cases, you might have to use more subheadings to properly organize the assignment. The organization will depend on the rubric provided. Carefully examine the rubric, as it will contain all the detailed requirements of the assignment. Sometimes, the rubric will have information that the normal instructions lack.
Another important factor to consider at this point is how to do citations. In-text citations are fundamental as they support the arguments and points you make in the paper. At this point, the resources gathered at the beginning will come in handy. Integrating the ideas of the authors with your own will ensure that you produce a comprehensive paper. Also, follow the given citation format. In most cases, APA 7 is the preferred format for nursing assignments.
How to Write the Conclusion for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
After completing the main sections, write the conclusion of your paper. The conclusion is a summary of the main points you made in your paper. However, you need to rewrite the points and not simply copy and paste them. By restating the points from each subheading, you will provide a nuanced overview of the assignment to the reader.
How to Format the References List for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
The very last part of your paper involves listing the sources used in your paper. These sources should be listed in alphabetical order and double-spaced. Additionally, use a hanging indent for each source that appears in this list. Lastly, only the sources cited within the body of the paper should appear here.
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Sample Answer for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Experience working on a neuro/stroke/geriatric psych unit is why I am interested in pursuing the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner degree. This advanced degree will allow me to formulate treatment plans for elderly patients. Mental disorders occur commonly among older people. Up to 16% of people aged 60years and above report clinically significant depressive symptoms, and 6–10% meet the criteria for one or more anxiety disorders (Cations et al., 2023). Several of the geriatric population are struggling mentally, and some of their needs are dismissed due to old age. I am interested in providing compassionate, hands-on, one-on-one care to this patient population to improve their quality of life. I have been fortunate enough to build great rapport with some patients and their families, which often leaves me wondering how they feel once discharged. This feeling has also motivated my desire to pursue an advanced role as I can assess, diagnose, treat, and monitor progress and follow up as needed. Having worked in various medical-surgical units, I came to a personal conclusion that mental health played a huge role in the lives of the patients, yet most of their psychiatric needs were met by the hospitalist only. Most people receive psychiatric care from their primary care provider due to a great shortage of psychiatric specialists and therapists (Finley,2020). The shortage of qualified providers is a driving force in pursuing an advanced degree in mental health nursing. As a PMHNP, I will be responsible for assessing, diagnosing, and treating the mental health needs of my patients. My interest in psychiatry is attributed to the desire to help patients and their families continue to have meaningful lives regardless of their mental state. The quality of care provided at home for individuals with MH is largely dependent on family caregivers (Lin et al.,2018). Mental health does not only affect the individual, but it also affects the family; I want to be a resource for both the patient and their family as they navigate the challenges that come with mental health disorders. My goal is to bridge the gap between different groups of people who may not have the means to seek the necessary help needed to live with their diagnoses. Most of the patient population I have encountered have been those who have no access to the appropriate resources needed to cope. As nurses, we function as patient advocates to ensure positive outcomes and promote a healthy lifestyle through evidence-based practice. Bridging the gap among communities is an essential aspect of why I choose to advance my career and become a PMHNP. Also, I am interested in this specialty because, as an immigrant from Uganda, mental health is largely disregarded, and people with mental health issues are referred to as cursed and excommunicated from family. Mugisha et al. (2019) stated that community-level barriers included abject poverty and community stigma. I hope that I will be able to change their outlook on mental health once I obtain this advanced degree.
This decision was not easy because working in behavioral nursing takes a huge emotional toll on providers. As a workplace, a psychiatric hospital is one where particularly stressful factors accumulate, including those related to unpredictable patterns of behaviors revealed by patients with severe mental illness, and many psychiatric nurses are exposed to this long-term stress, thus increasing the risk of burnout (Lopatkiewicz et al., 2023). It is very emotionally challenging dealing with individuals who are mentally unstable daily, but it is also gratifying watching all the progress made through implementing effective treatment plans. Challenges arise from non-compliance to plan of care and not showing up for scheduled appointments. High rate of workplace violence is another difficulty I had when making this choice. This study found that more than half of nurses working at the mental health hospital experienced verbal abuse, followed by physical attack (Yosep et al., 2021). Patients with some type of mental disorder tend to get aggressive with their providers when they don’t get their way. Regardless of the difficulties associated with becoming a PMHNP, I must ensure that all patients are thriving and can function to the best of their ability, hence my choice of nursing specialty.
American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA) is one professional organization affiliated with my specialty. Creating an online account via the APNA website is the first step in becoming a member. Different yearly membership rates exist, ranging from $25 to $135. The individual can join the organization online, by phone, or by mail and select the desired membership type; student memberships also exist (APNA,2023).
NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion 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.
To Prepare:
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.
Sample Answer 2 for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
I have chosen to focus on the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) program. A lot of thought has gone into this decision. At first, I wanted to focus on the family nurse practitioner (FNP) route. However, after speaking with my student success advisor, she informed me that it sounded like the AGPCNP route was a better fit for me. I also completed the questionnaire on the Walden University website that helps determine which MSN specialization is right for you. The quiz identified that the AGPCNP program or the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program was best for me. Because I primarily would like to work with the adult population, I can focus my studies through the AGPCNP focus on this population. The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to guide the health and well-being of patients 13 years and older (Walden University, 2022)
I have gone back and forth on deciding which focus is best for me. I always thought obtaining my FNP would open many more opportunities. However, I know I do not have the desire to work with the pediatric population. I also started my nursing career in labor and delivery and am familiar with this population. However, it looks like focusing my studies on the AGPCNP specialization will allow me to work in Women’s Health if I desire. The AGPCNP focus will help me promote a more equitable system serving individuals with compassion and dignity (Walden University, 2022). The AGPCNP focus will prepare me to manage disease prevention, health promotion, health maintenance, and restore care in adolescents and adults (Walden University, 2022). I will be prepared to deliver quality primary care services and make an impact on the patients and community I serve (Walden University, 2022).
There are many professional nursing organizations I could join that are affiliated with the AGPCNP focus, including the National Gerontological Nurses Association, Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, Coalition for Nurses in Advanced Practice, American Association of Nurse Practitioners, and American College of Nurse Practitioner, to name a few. According to Echevarria (2018), nurses should join professional organizations that best fit their goals. The Gerontologic Advanced Practice Nurses Association (GAPNA) represents the interests of advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) caring for older adults (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA opens opportunities for APRNs in education, leadership, research, advocacy, networking, and improvements in evidence-based practice (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). The GAPNA provides educational resources and up-to-date information about the care of older adults; it also offers opportunities for networking (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). There are many membership benefits, including a subscription to the official Journal of GAPNA, quarterly newsletters, and access to legislative news (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership also includes discounts on renewal fees, study materials, the American Nursing Credentialing Center Certification, conferences, and professional memberships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Membership fees are $100 annually, and members can join online (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students, registered nurses, APRNs, and retired nurses may become members. Students in advanced practice courses receive all the same benefits as APRNs; however, they do not have voting privileges (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022). Students may also benefit from grants and scholarships (Gerontological Advanced Practice Nurses Association, 2022).
Sample Answer 3 for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
I worked on a gen/med floor in a level one trauma hospital when I started nursing. It provided a good foundation for being a new nurse, but it was a slower-paced job than I was expecting. Downtime has always been challenging for me, so I decided to change positions and become an intensive care nurse. Here is where I found my passion for action, well, in a sense. I felt a deep sense of accomplishment and had more confidence in my skills at the end of each shift. And as I took on the position of charge nurse, I realized that I was good at being a leader. I enjoyed working in a high-intensity environment, and people responded well to me. With this in mind, I decided to take things a step further in my career, so I applied to the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) program here at Walden.As an ICU travel nurse, technically a “COVID ICU travel nurse,” the workload has become more demanding in the past year and a half. During this time, I couldn’t physically be with my family due to obvious reasons, which made coping alone difficult. I also started noticing a feeling of being utterly drained of energy. I was burned out! According to research, health workers can encounter various psychological difficulties when working in high-pressure and high-risk situations, such as those associated with disasters and pandemics (Salamah, 2020). So instead of taking the break I so desperately needed, I decided to head back to nursing school and keep that momentum of intensity going. Unfortunately, distraction is a coping mechanism I have learned to master. So it’s clear to say, here is where I’ve been struggling a bit with making a definite career choice. Though I love taking care of patients and providing support to families, I started questioning whether or not working in a hospital setting as a nurse practitioner is what I wanted to do. I knew I needed some guidance and clarity if I wanted to stay on the path of becoming an acute care NP.
Being an active member of the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), I knew that I would find information to tackle my fatigue and learn new ways to plan for career advancement in the field I once loved. In addition, AACN provides resources to assist nurses in prioritizing their well-being while providing substantial care to patients and their families. For example, nurse leaders affiliated with the organization offer sessions on practical mindful activities to improve personal and organizational resilience during current challenging times in healthcare. As a result, nurses will learn to implement strategic pauses and thoughtful moments into their workday (Bay, 2021).
There are several professional nursing organizations whose primary focus is on critical care nursing for nurses practicing in acute care, one being AACN. The AACN has provided progressive and critical care nurses with world-class resources, education, and support for over 50 years and has over 130,000 members (AACN, 2021). Listed below are some of the membership options for those who are interested in joining. Membership fees can be found on the AACN website.
- Active membership is open to any registered nurse licensed in the United States interested in critical care nursing and is in good standing with their state or territory’s licensing office. Additionally, nurses who work in research, administration, education, medical-surgical, telemetry, progressive care units, home health, or any other healthcare agency are qualified (AACN, 2021).
- Any LVN or LPN, non-nurse professional, or student working in these fields, as well as any healthcare consumer or member of the business or political community, is eligible. However, affiliate members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
- Professional nurses who have an RN license in a country other than the United States are eligible. Membership includes all AACN privileges; however, all benefits, including a member card, are provided digitally (through email or the Web). International members are not eligible to run for office or participate on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
- Any resident of the United States (or a non-citizen of the United States who resides inside the United States) enrolled in an accredited professional nursing program and is not currently licensed as a registered nurse is eligible. Membership in the AACN entitles them to all AACN advantages. However, student members cannot vote, hold office, or serve on national or chapter committees (AACN, 2021).
References
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. (2021). AACN Membership Types and Rates. https://www.aacn.org/membership/aacn-membership-types-and-rate
Bay, L. M. (2021). Mindfulness: Using Pause Principles to Enhance Your Nursing Practice. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. https://www.aacn.org/education/ce-activities/nti18396/mindfulness-using-pause-principles-to-enhance-your-nursing-practice.
Salamah, B. (2020). Exploring the mental health needs of intensive care unit nurses facing the pandemic of covid-19. ScholarWorks@UARK. https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursstudent/13/.
Sample Answer 4 for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
I enjoyed reading your post, and I can completely relate to what you said; after taking that NCLEX, I too thought that would be it for me as far as test taking and continuing education. However, over the years, I have realized the importance of keeping up to date with certifications and trends in healthcare. As I said in a previous post, I now make it a goal to learn something new every year. I also have found that joining the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) allows me to become a part of an organization that carries the educational, patient-centered belief in complete healthcare for all (Why join AANP?).
Nursing is a constantly evolving profession, and we must be continuously striving to learn to make certain our patients receive the best and most updated care (Nurse’s Guide to Continuing Education 2022).
References
Why join AANP? American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16,
2023, from https://www.aanp.org/membership/why-join
Nurse’s Guide to Continuing Education. NurseJournal. (2022, August 29). Retrieved February
17, 2023, from https://nursejournal.org/resources/nurses-continuing-education-guide
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Name: NURS_6003_Module01_ Week01_Discussion_Rubric
Excellent | Good | Fair | Poor | |
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Main Posting |
45 (45%) – 50 (50%)
Answers all parts of the discussion question(s) expectations with reflective critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module and current credible sources. Supported by at least three current, credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
40 (40%) – 44 (44%)
Responds to the discussion question(s) and is reflective with critical analysis and synthesis of knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. At least 75% of post has exceptional depth and breadth. Supported by at least three credible sources. Written clearly and concisely with one or no grammatical or spelling errors and fully adheres to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
35 (35%) – 39 (39%)
Responds to some of the discussion question(s). One or two criteria are not addressed or are superficially addressed. Is somewhat lacking reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Somewhat represents knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Post is cited with two credible sources. Written somewhat concisely; may contain more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Contains some APA formatting errors. |
0 (0%) – 34 (34%)
Does not respond to the discussion question(s) adequately. Lacks depth or superficially addresses criteria. Lacks reflection and critical analysis and synthesis. Does not represent knowledge gained from the course readings for the module. Contains only one or no credible sources. Not written clearly or concisely. Contains more than two spelling or grammatical errors. Does not adhere to current APA manual writing rules and style. |
Main Post: Timeliness |
10 (10%) – 10 (10%)
Posts main post by day 3.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
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0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
Does not post by day 3.
|
First Response |
17 (17%) – 18 (18%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
15 (15%) – 16 (16%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
13 (13%) – 14 (14%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 12 (12%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
Second Response |
16 (16%) – 17 (17%)
Response exhibits synthesis, critical thinking, and application to practice settings. Responds fully to questions posed by faculty. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by at least two scholarly sources. Demonstrates synthesis and understanding of learning objectives. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are fully answered, if posed. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
14 (14%) – 15 (15%)
Response exhibits critical thinking and application to practice settings. Communication is professional and respectful to colleagues. Responses to faculty questions are answered, if posed. Provides clear, concise opinions and ideas that are supported by two or more credible sources. Response is effectively written in standard, edited English. |
12 (12%) – 13 (13%)
Response is on topic and may have some depth. Responses posted in the discussion may lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are somewhat answered, if posed. Response may lack clear, concise opinions and ideas, and a few or no credible sources are cited. |
0 (0%) – 11 (11%)
Response may not be on topic and lacks depth. Responses posted in the discussion lack effective professional communication. Responses to faculty questions are missing. No credible sources are cited. |
Participation |
5 (5%) – 5 (5%)
Meets requirements for participation by posting on three different days.
|
0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
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0 (0%) – 0 (0%)
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Sample Answer for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Advancing my education has always been my goal for the longest time. I also knew that I would like to advance my education along the lines of being a mental health nurse. Mental health has always been dear to me, as I have seen close people around me, friends and family, battle with mental disorders. Many more people struggle with mental health, and while it has been vocalized and awareness created over the past several years, some people still have a difficult time coming forward to seek help for fear of stigma. As a nurse, I felt that this was a =n important area for me to advance my knowledge.
Issues with mental health have become quite rampant especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. The rates of people developing mental health disorders have increased significantly because of worry and anxiety caused by the pandemic. According to Czeisler et al. (2020) there was a considerable increase in the symptoms of anxiety disorder and depressive disorder in the United States during the period of April to June of 2020, as compared with the same period in 2019. Thinking about all the people struggling to cope with their mental health has encouraged me to want to pursue this specialty more.
One organization that is affiliated with my nursing specialty is the American Psychiatry Nurses Association (APNA). The purpose of this organization is to advance the science and education of psychiatric-mental health nursing, and I feel like I would benefit by being a member. The organization also has very fair membership prices, with a student membership at $25 dollars annually, and affiliate and international membership at $135. I know that by being a member of the APNA, I will be able to advance my knowledge academically and professionally, have access to unlimited resources on matters mental health, and network and connect with others who share the same vision as mine.
References
American Psychiatry Nurses Association (APNA) (n.d). Mission, goals and strategic plan. Retrieved on July 8, 2021 from www.apna.org
Czeisler, M. É., Lane, R. I., Petrosky, E., Wiley, J. F., Christensen, A., Njai, R., … & Rajaratnam, S. M. (2020). Mental health, substance use, and suicidal ideation during the COVID-19 pandemic—United States, June 24–30, 2020. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 69(32), 1049.
Sample Answer for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Great post! I admire your passion to work with the mental health population. It truly takes a special person to endure the demands of that field. I also like your plan to become a student member of the American Psychiatry Nurses Association. “Professional nursing organizations provide a great starting point in obtaining and maintaining specialty certifications” and can open a door of unlimited resources for your specialty field (Echevarria, 2018, p. 37). Becoming a member of a professional nursing organization like the APNA can also assist with networking opportunities with other APRNs in your specialty to start building relationships, as well as provide you with new opportunities for conferences and academic journals in the mental health field (American Psychiatric Nurses Association, n.d.). “One essential element for professional development is committing the time necessary to strategically engage in lifelong learning,” so beginning to develop your plan as a future psychiatric APRN by joining the nursing association as a student in the master’s program would absolutely put you ahead of the game (Cherry et al., 2019, p. 517). Good luck on your future endeavors and I look forward to possibly reading your discussions in another course.
References
Cherry, B. , Caramanica, L. , Everett, L. Q. , Fennimore, L. & Scott, E. (2019). Leveraging the Power of Board Leadership in Professional Nursing Organizations. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 49 (11), 517-519. doi: 10.1097/NNA.0000000000000805.
Echevarria, I. M. (2018). Make connections by joining a professional nursing organization. Nursing, 48 (12), 35-38. doi: 10.1097/01.NURSE.0000547721.84857.cb.
Membership in the American Psychiatric Nurses Association. American Psychiatric Nurses Association. (n.d.). https://www.apna.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3293.
Sample Answer for NURS6003 Week 10 Discussion Examining Nursing Specialties
Adult gerontological nurse practitioners focus on caring for and treating adults from later adulthood to the end of life. This population has unique needs, as the body no longer develops after maturity (Becker et al., 2020). As patients age, the ability of their bodies to respond to stressors and heal declines. A few age-related changes in patients are:
- Decreased respiratory strength
- Reduced bone density
- Higher likelihood of infection
A goal of a gerontological nurse is to provide the highest-quality care to older adults. Gerontological nurses focus on “the process of aging and the protection, promotion, restoration, and optimization of health and functions,” according to the American Nurses Association (ANA). This care includes preventing illness and injury, aiding the healing process, easing the effects of disease, and advocating for older adults’ health (Poghosyan et al., 2021).
References
Becker, D., Dechant, L. M., McNamara, L. J., Konick-McMahon, J., Noe, C. A., Thomas, K., & Fabrey, L. J. (2020). Practice Analysis: Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner and Clinical Nurse Specialist. American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, 29(2), e19–e30. https://doi.org/10.4037/ajcc2020918Links to an external site.
Poghosyan, L., Brooks, J. M., Hovsepian, V., Pollifrone, M., Schlak, A. E., & Sadak, T. (2021). The Growing Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Workforce: A Solution for the Aging Population Living With Dementia. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry, 29(6), 517–526. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jagp.2021.01.135