Emory Becoming an APRN

This study compares the labor and delivery outcomes of certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) and physicians. For care processes, (e.g., epidural, labor induction, episiotomy), CNMs were found to have lower rates of application/use. For infant outcomes, (e.g., low Apgar, low birth weight, neonatal intensive care unit admission), there were no differences between physicians and CNMs. Perineal lacerations were lower and breastfeeding rates were higher among women cared for by CNMs compared with physicians.

This article focuses on the Nurse Practitioners contribution to primary care. Randomized trials were performed to help us better understand how Nurse Practitioners compare to Primary Care Physicians in the eyes of patients. Conclusions showed that patients outcomes were equivalent in their satisfaction, physical, social and emotional functioning when compared to seeing a Physician versus a Nurse Practitioner. It was also found during the studies that lower costs of care was associated with NP's.

The researchers in this article focused on analyzing what kind of economic impact that giving APRNs full scope of practice in North Carolina would have. They calculated the impact by first projecting the increase in APRN graduates choosing to work in the state after full scope would be awarded. Projections of the increase in demand for providers due to both the ACA and an aging population were also taken into consideration. The findings in this analysis were that giving APRNs full scope of practice in the state would benefit the economy with increased output, employment, and tax revenue all while decreasing provider shortages. The state could save upwards of $495 million in gross product annually.

Hopefully, results such as these will give other states with more restrictive policies incentive to change their practice guidelines.

This article reflects on the progressive changes in the redesign of healthcare and how the role of the APRN will simultaneously evolve to allow practitioners to practice to the expected level of their capabilities.

This article asks the question: "Compared to other providers (physicians or teams without APRNs), are APRN patient outcomes of care similar?" The study is specific to USA and includes data regarding NPs, CNRAs, and CNMs. Outcomes were determined by the following: patient satisfaction with provider/care, patient self-assessment of perceived health status, functional status, blood glucose, serum lipids, blood pressure, emergency department visits, hospitalization, duration of ventilation, length of stay, and mortality (p9).

This article begins by informing us that the first APRN was in 1877. The article defines an APRN discusses APRNs history, scope of practice, different specialties and their role and educational requirements along with our future needs in Oncology and the importance of our input in the business of healthcare. It ends with the emphasis that our importance must be documented and communicated to healthcare decision makers and we need to collaborate with physicians and administrators and negotiate with business makers to change healthcare reform.

This article talks about how the use of acute care nurse practitioner helps hospitals deliver better care because the APRNs are able to draw from past experiences in order to provide the best care to their patients.

This article is about the scope of practice of midwives and childbirth outcomes. It discusses the relationship between autonomous practice and better birth outcomes. The article suggests there should be future policies to expand the access to midwifery services.

This 2015 article, written in the Journal of Pediatric Health Care, discusses the critical importance of intervening and advocating for APRNs to have full practice authority as opposed to the current varying state-by-state practice laws. The author explains the primary reasons for states retaining restrictions on APRN practice are outdated and include lack of awareness of the current scope of practice of APRNs and organized medicine's persistent opposition to expanding the authority of other providers to practice and receive the full amount for their rendered services. The author supports her argument by including the IOM Committee's view; removing APRN practice restrictions would assist in addressing health care access, high-quality care, and an overall healthier population.

This article discusses the difficulties APRNs experience while attempting to expand their scope of practice. It explores arguments between nurse practitioners and physicians on how APRNs will contribute to the shortage of primary care providers.

This article discusses APRNs working in Title X Family Planning Clinics, what lead them to practice in these clinics, and why they remain practicing in these clinics as new opportunities for APRNs arise. APRNs are described by the authors as 'critical safety nets', as they play a major role in reproductive health services and provide care to vulnerable populations and rural communities. The findings of this study, which collected data through an online survey, can and will be used during policy change decisions to improve APRN satisfaction and retention.

This article discusses the challenge that educators have in assessing competency in APRN students, particularly with simulation.

J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2015 Jun;27(6):300-7. doi: 10.1002/2327-6924.12203. Epub 2014 Dec 29. As of July 2006, APRNs are allowed to write prescriptions in Georgia. Even though it took a long time to achieve this, 40% of Georgia APRNs do not write prescriptions. Georgia is one of the most restrictive states for APRNs so policy changes are recommended to enhance to scope of APRNs.

Georgia is one of the most restrictive states in terms of APRN scope of practice. This article identifies barriers that are common to APRNs nationwide and specific barriers to Georgia APRNs.

This article describes entry-level competencies for NPs practicing in emergency care - it was the first to define these competencies which is key since the roles of APRNs have expanded. A Nurse Practitioner (NP) Validation Work Team was formed and a Delphi study was conducted to verify and gain consensus on professional and clinical competencies for NPs in emergency care.

The APRN role is one that is continually evolving globally due to health care provider needs. This article looks specifically at barriers APRNs face that hinder them from practicing to the full extent of their scope and how to face these barriers to promote full scope of practice and address healthcare needs.