Answer 2 for NRNP 6531 Career Goals: Strengths and Challenges Related to Nursing Practice Competencies

During this course I hope to improve upon the skill sets I have and gain new insight into caring for the adult population in a primary care setting. After nearly ten years of bedside nursing, I feel competent in my role as an RN, I hope that this course and the practical application of systems learned will allow me to take my existing knowledge and develop a deeper understanding of the APRN role; including diagnosis and treatment of chronic and acute disease processes. I hope that this course helps me identify evidence-based methods of patient care that continue to improve the quality of care I can provide.

After reviewing the Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies, I was able to determine the three competencies that felt most true to my current and future self as an APRN. The core competency that resonated most with me was related to ethics; “Applies ethically sound solutions to complex issues related to individuals, populations and systems of care”. (Thomas et al., 2011) I aim to maintain a strong ethical and moral compass throughout my career as an APRN. My goal is to provide care to women and girls in rural populations. This specialty of care and the population it will serve often requires ethically sound solutions. Healthcare in the United States for women and girls is deeply tied to politics and can often be determined by a vote, not evidence-based practice. As a practitioner I will be required to care for my patients to the best of my ability in a way that is ethical and safe. After the overturning of Roe v. wade   many practitioners are having to rely on this core competency, The European Journal of contraception & Reproductive Healthcare published an article this month outlining the possible consequences of abortion bans on women’s health:

“Additionally, we envision challenges for the treatment of women with certain autoimmune conditions, pregnant cancer patients, and patients contemplating preimplantation genetic diagnosis as part of assisted reproductive technologies”. (Stein et al., 2022)

Caring for patients in this at-risk population will require the application of ethically sound solutions to a very complex set of issues.

The second competency I chose reads as follows: “Uses best available evidence to continuously improve quality of clinical practice”. (Thomas et al., 2011) Evidence based practice is a critical component of quality patient care. With ever changing technology and scientific advancement, implementing evidence-based care is not only important but critical in ensuring that patients receive the safest and most effective treatment. Completing a master’s degree in advanced nursing allows practitioners the education they need to implement evidence-based practice.  A study published in 2023 found that graduate nurses found themselves more equipped to implement evidence-based practice which had a profound impact on the care they provided and their work-related self-confidence. (Relster et al., 2023)

The final competency that spoke to me was related to disease prevention and health promotion. Throughout my experience in the healthcare system, I have seen many failings when it comes to disease prevention and health promotion. Astounding numbers of Americans have preventable chronic diseases that reduce their quality of life and longevity. As an APRN I would like to focus my practice on educating patients and reducing negative outcomes that could be prevented by health promotion.

I hope that this course allows me to gain the knowledge and skill to implement these competencies into my current and future practice. The aim to improve patient outcomes while maintaining an ethical and sound practitioner-patient relationship Is my goal for my future as an APRN.

Relster, M., Nielsen, S. H., Thrysøe, L., Dieperink, K. B., Nielsen, D. S., & Tolstrup, L. K. (2023). Transition from masters of nursing to clinical practice. Nurse Education Today, 128, 105882. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nedt.2023.105882

Stein, R. A., Katz, A., & Chervenak, F. A. (2022). The far-reaching impact of abortion bans: Reproductive Care and Beyond. The European Journal of Contraception & Reproductive Health Care, 28(1), 23–27. https://doi.org/10.1080/13625187.2022.2140008

Thomas, A. c, Crabtree, M. K., Delaney, K. R., Dumas, M. A., Kleinpell, R., Logsdon, M. C., Marfell, J., & Nativio, D. G. (2011, April). National Organization of Nurse practitioner faculties (NONPF). NONPF – 1 NURSE PRACTITIONER CORE COMPETENCIES. https://www.nonpf.org