Class 1 Unit 6 COMMENT 2

Purpose: Discussion (NP and APN Roles Comparison)

Thing to Remember:

•   Answer this discussion with opinions/ideas creatively and clearly. Supports post using several outside, peer-reviewed sources.

•   1 References, try to find resources that are 5 years or less

•   No errors with APA format.

Discussion: (NP and APN Roles Comparison)

APN (Advanced Practice Nurse) is an advanced degree in nursing programs. APN specialization considers of four main areas Nurse Practitioner (NP), Certified Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA), Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), and Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM).NP (nurse practitioner) is a path of APN. The main differences between both are NP can work independently in the clinic as well as they can practice privately at private health care. NP salary is high compared to APN. NP minimum qualification is Master of Science in Nursing after which Doctor of Nursing Practice can be done in future (Darwin, 2006). To qualify APN Master Degree in nursing is must qualify for APRN specialization exams. Duties of NP Consist of taking health histories, assess diagnose, treat chronic illness. APN duties depend upon the specialization being taken for example Nurse Midwives the main focus is on women Healthcare, Nurse Anaesthetists’ wok on surgical settings. NP can prescribe medicine to the patient while In APN some but not all of them are authorized to prescribe medicine. NP certification is provided by American Nurses Credentialing Center (AN CC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. The nurse has to register with the board of nursing when they want to work. Certification for Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists is available from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Nurse Anesthetist’s certification is available from the National Board of Certification & Recertification for Nurse Anaesthetists (NBCRNA). Nurse Midwives Certification is available from the American Midwifery Certification Board (AMCB).

A Physician Assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works with the doctor team (Hamric, 2014).Physician Assistant is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. Personal Assistant is required to take 100 hours of medical education classes every two years and required to take certification every six years. Nurse Practitioners & the physician assistants hold an important place in the healthcare systems which are involved in the direct patient care.  In the case pf physician assistants, they are allowed to practice independently; however, the Nurse practitioners are allowed to give direction but not allowed to practice independently or without administration (Lincoln, 2000). Usually Nurse Practitioners & the physician assistants (PA) both are able to help intervene & diagnose the correct root cause of the problem, can treat the sickness with the help of prescribed medication but the Nurse Practitioners (NP)  will have to apply to a state level in order to add to the responsibilities to their duties such as prescribing of medication. In between the NP’s & PA’s the main highlighted difference is the training involved while the NP’s are supposed to adhere to the training program of the nursing model but the PA’s are supposed to get training in line with the medical model. The stress of the nursing model is based upon the serving & catering to patients while in the medical model the main emphasis lays on the disease pathology.

Reference

Darwin, L. (2006). CNS and NP role activities: . Clinical Nurse Specialist, 69-277.

Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2014). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach (5th. ed). St. Louis, MO:: Elsevier.

Lincoln, P. E. (2000). Comparing CNS and NP role activities: A replication. Clinical Nurse Specialist, 14 (6), 269-277.