Advanced Practice Nurse Professional Development Plan

As an APN, one must truly challenge themselves in all realms of practice. An APN expands their clinical practice, they teach, are culturally competent, and treat and care holistically. APN’s are known to be role models and shine professionally. Accomplishing all of these skills is only a small part of the responsibility; they must also perform this safely and in favor of their patient.            

In order to practice safely and effectively as an APN, several different organizations were formed over the years to create standards of practice. These standards of practice are a set of guidelines to aid in our practice and are the cornerstone of APN professional development. The foundations of professional practice for a nurse practitioner include: the APN scope of practice, core competencies, and leadership skills (Kells, Dunn, Melchiono, & Burke, 2015). 

Advanced Practice Nurse Scope of Practice

Knowing what the scope of practice is for an APN is important to know before you begin your career. The scope of practice defines your legal capabilities and limitations within your state of practice. The scope of practice is also known as “The nurse practice act”. One can find their state’s nurse practice act on the state board of nursing website (Online Sunshine, 2019).

While researching your state board of nursing, one can find a plethora of pertinent information regarding nursing practice. In researching the Florida Board for example, a direct link was listed to the current state statutes. These state statutes included information such as: the purpose of the scope of practice, who created it, licensure requirements, fees, and controlled substance prescribing (Online Sunshine, 2019).

According to Online Sunshine (2019), “The sole legislative purpose in enacting this part is to ensure that every nurse practicing in this state meets minimum requirements for safe practice. It is the legislative intent that nurses who fall below minimum competency or who otherwise present a danger to the public shall be prohibited from practicing in this state.“ (Purpose, para. 464.002). This statement proves that the state creates regulations and guidelines to protect the public and to hold APN’s accountable to practicing at a higher standard.

The qualifications of obtaining licensure as an APN, include already possessing a current nursing license, certification by the appropriate specialty board, and to have earned a master’s or doctoral degree in the area of specialty (Online Sunshine, 2019).

For Florida, the APN may practice to the fullest extent. This includes ordering diagnostic tests and initiating therapies. The only exception to this is if the APN works in a multi-supervision physician group; they must then enter a supervisory protocol (Online Sunshine, 2019). The APN may prescribe, dispense, order, and administer any drug including controlled substances if the APN has graduated from a master’s or doctoral program in the clinical nurse specialty trained in the skill of a specialized practitioner (Online Sunshine, 2019). 

Nurse Practitioner (NONPF) Core Competencies

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) was developed to establish specific curriculum guidelines for the education of nurse practitioners (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2017). The NONPF created core competencies to serve to as the foundation of NP practice.  Some of NONPF core competencies include: scientific foundation, leadership, quality, practice inquiry, technology and information literacy. These competencies are an integral part of the NP curriculum (National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties, 2017).

As we gain experience in our practice, our skills become refined. We become more confident in our practice. APN’s can evaluate and recognize their own strengths and weaknesses. This self-reflection enables us to identify our needs to continue to grow professionally.

Pondering about the NONPF core competencies, I recognized my own strengths and weaknesses currently within my nursing practice. My current strengths I believe are technology/IT and leadership. I believe my current weaknesses are in policy and health delivery systems.

The operating room (OR) is one of the most technologically advanced places in a hospital. As an operating room circulator in a level I trauma center, I have a lot of experience with the equipment used in surgical cases. I believe for this very reason that my strengths lie within the technology world. I am responsible for setting up and troubleshooting most of the equipment used. 

My number one goal is to maintain my patient’s safety while surgical equipment is being