| Nurse
Practitioner - Stardards of Practice |
I.
Qualifications
Nurse
practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with specialized
advanced education and clinical competency to provide
health and medical care for diverse populations in a variety
of primary, acute, and long term care settings. A Master's
degree is required for entry level practice.
II.
Process of Care
The
nurse practitioner utilizes the scientific process and
national standards of care as a framework for managing
client care. This process includes:
A.
Assessment of health status
-
obtains
a relevant health and medical history
-
performs
a physical examination based on age and history
-
performs
or orders preventive and diagnostic procedures based
on the patient's age and history
-
identifies
health and medical risk factors.
B.
Diagnosis
The
nurse practitioner makes a diagnosis by:
-
utilizing
critical thinking in the diagnostic process
-
synthesizing
and analyzing the collected data
-
formulating
a differential diagnosis based on the history, physical
examination, and diagnostic test results
-
establishing
priorities to meet the health and medical needs
of the individual, family, or community.
C.
Development of a Treatment Plan
The
nurse practitioner, together with the patient and family,
establishes a mutually acceptable cost-awareness plan
of care that maximizes health potential. Formulation
of the treatment plan includes:
-
ordering
additional diagnostic tests
-
selecting
appropriate pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic
interventions
-
developing
a patient education plan
-
appropriate
consultation/referral.
D.
Implementation of the Plan
Interventions
are based upon established priorities. Actions by the
nurse practitioner are:
-
individualized
-
consistent
with the appropriate plan of care
-
based
on scientific principles, theoretical knowledge,
and clinical expertise
-
consistent
with teaching and learning opportunities.
Actions
include
-
accurately
conducting and interpreting diagnostic tests
-
prescribing
pharmacologic agents and non-pharmacologic therapies
-
providing
relevant patient education
-
making
appropriate referrals to other health professionals
and community agencies.
E.
Follow up and Evaluation of the Client Status
The
nurse practitioner maintains a process for systematic
follow-up by:
- determining
the effectiveness of the treatment plan with documentation
of patient care outcomes
- reassessing
and modifying the plan as necessary to achieve health
and medical goals.
III.
Care Priorities
The
nurse practitioner's practice model emphasizes:
A.
Patient and family education
The
nurse practitioner provides health education and utilizes
community resource opportunities for the individual and/or
family.
B.
Facilitation of patient participation in self care
The
nurse practitioner facilitates patient participation in
health and medical care by providing information needed
to make decisions and choices about:
- promotion,
maintenance, and restoration of health
- consultation
with other appropriate health care personnel
- appropriate
utilization of health care resources.
C.
Promotion of optimal health
D.
Facilitation of entry into the health care system
E.
The promotion of a safe environment
IV.
Interdisciplinary/Collaborative Responsibilities
The
nurse practitioner participates as a team member in the
provision of health and medical care, interacting with
professional colleagues to provide comprehensive care.
V.
Accurate Documentation of Patient Status and Care
The
nurse practitioner maintains accurate, legible, and confidential
records.
VI.
Responsibility as Patient Advocate
Ethical
and legal standards provide the basis of patient advocacy.
As an advocate, the nurse practitioner participates in
health policy activities at the local, state, national,
and international levels.
VII.
Quality Assurance and Continued Competence
Nurse
practitioners recognize the importance of continued learning
through:
- participation
in quality assurance review, including systematic review
of records and treatment plans on a periodic basis
- maintenance
of current knowledge by attending continuing education
programs
- maintenance
of certification in compliance with current state law
- applying
standardized care guidelines in clinical practice.
VIII.
Adjunct Roles of Nurse Practitioner
Nurse
practitioners combine the roles of provider, mentor, educator,
researcher, manager, and consultant. The nurse practitioner
interprets the role of the nurse practitioner to individuals,
families, and other professionals.
IX.
Research as Basis for Practice
Nurse
practitioners support research by developing clinical
research questions, conducting or participating in studies,
and disseminating and incorporating findings into practice.
©
American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 1993. Revised 1998.
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