The American healthcare delivery system depends heavily on advanced practice nurses (APNs). The roles of APNs are becoming more complex as healthcare delivery and services do. APNs’ practice areas are outlined in many state laws and regulations, along with the fundamental skills they need to perform their jobs well. APNs must have the necessary leadership qualities to successfully lead, manage, and coordinate care across complex healthcare systems and the technical abilities required to deliver high-quality healthcare services (Heinen et al., 2019). Along with the core competencies and scope of practice, these leadership qualities are essential to ensuring that APNs can deliver high-quality patient care and contribute to the efficacy and efficiency of the healthcare delivery system. This essay will examine the legal practice area for APNs in California, the essential abilities needed for APN success, and the leadership techniques and strategies.
Scope of Practice
“Any person who practices, or puts himself or herself out as practicing, advanced practice nursing in California is required to be licensed by the board,” according to the California Nursing Practice Act (CNA). According to a collaborative agreement or protocol with a physician, advanced practice nursing is the nursing specialty in which a registered nurse (RN) aids in diagnosing, treating, and managing medical issues (Enslein, 2022). An individual must be certified as an APN in the specialist area and by the national certifying body to practice as an APN in California. They must also have a current license from the Board of Registered Nursing.
Educational Requirements
A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from a board-approved nursing program is required for someone to practice as an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) in California. The minimum 500 hours of supervised clinical experience required by state regulations for this MSN degree must be completed in various settings (Enslein, 2022). In addition, the person must complete an authorized post-degree masters in the specialty field. This program must comprise a minimum of one semester of academic activity, 500 clinical hours, and 500 didactic hours in the specialist field. The clinical experience must be overseen by a certified preceptor and provide the participant with the abilities and information needed to work as an APN on their own. The theoretical hours must cover pharmacology, pathophysiology, and advanced health assessment pertinent to the practice specialty. The academic activity must be finished in a place that the Board has approved and must incorporate a thorough investigation of the specialty field (Haney, 2023). After fulfilling all of these conditions, the applicant will be qualified to submit an application for APN licensing in California.
License Requirements
An applicant for an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) license in California must submit a completed application, the required fee, and documentation of their accomplishment in completing an approved post-degree master’s in the specialty (Enslein, 2022). Moreover, the candidate must pass the NCLEX for Registered Nurses, administered by the National Council Licensure Examination. The first license costs $150, and a $ all charge is due every two years (Haney, 2023). Individuals must submit their application and fee with documentation of their post-program master’s completion, like a transcript or diploma. In addition, they need a passing NCLEX score of 75 or higher to get their license and work as APNs. The license must be renewed every two years to continue practicing in California. Individuals must pay the $150 renewal fee and satisfy the relevant continuing education requirements to renew.
Regulatory Requirements
APNs in California are expected to seek and maintain certification in the specialty area from a national certifying body and the state license. In order to operate in California, the APN must additionally earn and maintain certification in the specialized field from the Board of Registered Nursing (Enslein, 2022). APNs in California must also follow the requirements for professional conduct listed in the California Code of Regulations, which include using evidence-based medicine.
Practice Authority
APNs are permitted to practice independently in California, although doing so requires a collaboration agreement with a doctor (Enslein, 2022). Depending on what the doctor has agreed to in the collaborative agreement, APNs may diagnose, treat, and manage medical issues, order diagnostic and laboratory testing, and prescribe medications (Haney, 2023).
Prescriptive Authority
If APNs in California satisfy the qualifications set forth by the California Board of Nursing, they are permitted to prescribe medications (Haney, 2023). These prerequisites include finishing a post-program masters in a specialty field that has been approved and completing at least 500 hours of clinical and didactic work in the specialty area (Haney, 2023). The APN must also receive and maintain certification in the specialist area from the Board of Registered Nursing, certification in the specialty area from a national certifying authority, and compliance with the California Code of Regulations’ standards of practice (Haney, 2023).
Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies
The competencies that all APNs must possess to operate in the United States are outlined in the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) Core Competencies. The five domains that make up the skills are informatics, organizational and systems leadership, professional practice, evidence-based practice, and population health (Jeffries et al., 2019).
Competency Areas That are Personally Strong
I am personally strong in the domains of evidence-based practice and inquiry, and informatics. In my current role as a family nurse practitioner, I have had the opportunity to participate in evidence-based practice projects and utilize informatics to streamline patient care. My experience in both domains has prepared me for the challenges of being an APN in a complex healthcare system.
Competency Areas Where There is Room for Growth
I have opportunities for growth in the domains of clinical prevention and population health and organizational and systems leadership. In my current role, I have not had the opportunity to explore these domains in depth. To help me develop competency in these areas, I plan to pursue additional education and professional development activities.
Scholarly Activities to Help Achieve NP Competencies
In order to develop competency in the domains of clinical prevention and population health, and organizational and systems leadership, I plan to pursue several scholarly activities. These include attending relevant conferences to stay abreast of the latest developments in my specialty area, participating in research projects to gain practical experience in evidence-based practice, joining professional organizations such as the American Association of Nurse Practitioners to stay connected with industry peers, and writing and publishing articles in nursing journals. These activities will give me the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve competency in these domains.
Leadership Skills
Any APN must possess leadership qualities. The APN must have a variety of leadership abilities in order to lead inside complex organizations effectively. Communication, teamwork, and problem-solving are three special skills crucial to the APN’s success in a complex system (Heinen et al., 2019).
Necessary Leadership Skills
Communication: Effective communication is crucial for an APN to succeed in a complex system. The APN must be able to talk clearly with the patient, the patient’s family, and the other members of the healthcare team members that everyone engaged is on the same page regarding the patient’s care; this includes both verbal and written communication, as well as capacity to listen attentively.
Collaboration: In a complex system, collaboration is a crucial ability for To ensure that the patient’s care is well-coordinated and efficient, the APN must be able to collaborate with other members of the healthcare team. To deliver the greatest treatment possible, the APN must also be able to work in conjunction with the patient and the patient’s family.
Problem-Solving: In a complex system, an APN’s ability to solve issues is crucial. The APN needs to be able to recognize issues, investigate them, create solutions, and swiftly put those answers into action (Heinen et al., 2019). To provide the greatest results for the patient, the APN must also be able to think critically and creatively, use a range of resources to address challenges, and exercise creativity.
Two Strategies to Help Develop NP Leadership Skills
My first action strategy for improving my leadership abilities is to look for opportunities to do so at workplace. This involves assuming new tasks and responsibilities that call for me to lead, including participating in group projects or becoming a team leader (Heinen et al., 2019). In addition, I intend to spearhead efforts that can assist procedures get better or work more efficiently. Additionally, I’ll attend courses on leadership development so I may learn more and hone my leadership abilities. In furthermore, I would like to identify a mentor that is an experienced APN leader. This mentor will offer me direction and guidance that is specific to my situation, which will help me further develop my leadership abilities (Heinen et al., 2019). In addition, my mentor will give me inspiration and motivation to keep working toward my objectives.
Conclusion
The scope of practice for APNs in California, the fundamental abilities needed for APN success, and the leadership techniques and tactics were all covered in this paper. An individual must be both certified as an APN in the specialty area and by the national certifying body in order to practice as an APN in California. They must also possess a current license from the Board of Registered Nursing. The NONPF’s required core competencies and the leadership abilities needed to effectively lead within a complex system are also requirements for the APN. The APN should engage in academic pursuits like attending conferences, participating in research, and joining professional organizations, as well as look for opportunities to lead on the job and locate a mentor in order to improve these skills and abilities.
References
Enslein, S. (2022, July 10). California Board of Nursing – Grants for Medical. https://www.grantsformedical.com/california-board-of-nursing.html
Haney, B. (2023). 35th Annual APRN Legislative Update: Updates to APRN practice authority in the United States. The Nurse Practitioner, 48(1), 20-47. https://www.rn.ca.gov/applicants/ad-pract.shtml
Heinen, M., van Oostveen, C., Peters, J., Vermeulen, H., & Huis, A. (2019). An integrative review of leadership competencies and attributes in advanced nursing practice. Journal of advanced nursing, 75(11), 2378-2392.
Jeffries, P. R., Bigley, M. B., McNelis, A. M., Cartier, J. M., Pintz, C., Slaven-Lee, P. W., & Zychowicz, M. E. (2019). A call to action: Building evidence for use of simulation in nurse practitioner education. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 31(11), 627-632.
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