Adult Geriatric Nurse Practitioners (AGNPs) in Texas are adaptable and innovative in a healthcare system where every advancement has the potential to change patient care. The AGNP is at the convergence of technology advances, demographic changes, and changing patient requirements, helping to solve the future’s healthcare problems. Their knowledge is essential in navigating the complex web of changing healthcare trends and future demands as time passes. From personalizing medicine using telemedicine to leading healthcare change, the AGNP’s toolbox is diverse. In this dynamic setting, the AGNP can shape the future to improve patient experiences, population health, and sustainable healthcare practices. This prompts us to discuss the future vision and objectives of the AGNP job; nursing advanced practice change management techniques, and leadership skills needed to navigate the changing healthcare system.
Future Vision and Goals of the AGNP Role
As an AGNP, I envision holistic, patient-centered care for older persons that promotes health maintenance, illness prevention, and quality of life. AGNPs must be proactive to satisfy the healthcare demands of an aging population and rising chronic illness rates. Fulmer et al. (2021) predict 20% of Americans to be 65 or older by 2030. The diversity of this group is especially noticeable. Thus, this vision supports the Triple Aim framework’s aims of improving patient experience, population health, and healthcare costs. AGNPs may reduce chronic disease burden in older individuals by concentrating on preventive care and health promotion, improving health outcomes and quality of life.
Telehealth, customized medicine, and interdisciplinary collaboration increase the need for AGNPs to innovate. Due to advances in science and technology, this cohort can receive excellent preventive and clinical care (Fulmer et al., 2021). Telehealth platforms have revolutionized healthcare delivery by increasing access to care for older adults, especially those in rural or underserved areas. These platforms allow AGNPs to consult remotely, monitor chronic illnesses, and educate and assist patients and caregivers. Personalized medicine optimizes therapeutic results and minimizes side effects by tailoring treatment strategies to individual patient’s requirements and preferences. It allows AGNPs to customize therapies to older persons’ biopsychosocial requirements, boosting treatment adherence and patient satisfaction. Interdisciplinary teamwork also fosters comprehensive treatment by combining the skills of doctors, nurses, social workers, and pharmacists. By working with multidisciplinary teams, AGNPs may create complete care plans for older persons that cover medical, psychological, social, and functional needs.
Professional development and competence improvement are needed to meet the AGNP role’s future goal and adapt to the changing healthcare ecosystem. This requires maintaining current evidence-based techniques, standards, and technology for older adult care. AGNPs may learn to adapt to evolving healthcare trends and best practices via conferences, seminars, and online courses. Quality improvement efforts and collaborative case conferences may also boost teamwork and patient-centered treatment. AGNPs may lead geriatric care and promote older adult health by improving their clinical skills and scope of practice.
AGNPs need good communication and teamwork abilities to thrive in their careers. AGNPs must communicate well with patients, families, and healthcare team members from varied backgrounds and disciplines as healthcare becomes more team-based and multidisciplinary. This requires active listening, effective verbal and written communication, and the capacity to simplify complicated medical information for patients and caregivers. Coordination and seamless transitions among care settings need collaboration with other healthcare practitioners, community resources, and support services. Communication and cooperation skills help AGNPs develop trust and rapport with patients and colleagues, foster collaborative decision-making, and improve patient outcomes.
Change Management Strategies and Leadership Qualities
Change management and leadership are crucial in healthcare’s changing context. Effective change management is essential to adapt and execute new ideas as the industry evolves. Nursing advanced practice colleagues must understand change management, including communication, stakeholder participation, and continual review. Effective communication is the foundation of change management, keeping stakeholders informed, engaged, and motivated. Thus, nursing advanced practice professionals may successfully communicate and get support for suggested changes by using meetings, emails, and training sessions. Clear communication helps stakeholders comprehend the changes, reducing opposition and boosting acceptance.
Change management requires stakeholder engagement, including patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and administrators. According to Kujala et al. (2022), it is strategic and pragmatic. Participation usually involves resource input to increase corporate performance, reputation, or competitive advantage. Nursing advanced practice professionals may increase stakeholder buy-in and commitment to change implementation by collecting input, resolving issues, and encouraging cooperation. Include stakeholders from the start to include varied viewpoints and experiences in the decision-making process and help create customized solutions that meet the requirements and preferences of individuals impacted by the change.
Continuous evaluation helps nursing advanced practice professionals evaluate change activities, identify areas for improvement, and maximize results. Performance metrics and quality improvement programs help monitor and evaluate change activities. Nursing advanced practice professionals may evaluate change attempts, identify obstacles, and improve future efforts using evidence-based methods and feedback channels. They may need leadership skills and change management approaches to navigate the changing healthcare system. Flexibility, resilience, and creativity are required to solve healthcare problems and improve performance. A complex adaptive system draws on the natural creativity of healthcare professionals to adapt to circumstances and develop new and better ways to achieve quality. (Harrison et al., 2021). Thus, leaders can anticipate and adjust to changing situations and trends. Teamwork, trust, and constant learning and growth need excellent communication, cooperation, and emotional intelligence.
As an AGNP, I understand the necessity of leadership to drive change and meet the healthcare system’s demands. My leadership abilities include clinical competence, critical thinking, and empathy, but I need to improve strategic vision, change management, and advocacy. Strategic vision requires the capacity to anticipate healthcare’s future and provide new solutions to meet corporate goals. I can see patterns, find ways to improve, and lead positive change and better patient outcomes by sharpening my strategic vision. Enhanced change management abilities help me negotiate change, execute new projects, and get stakeholder buy-in. A vital leadership trait, advocacy, allows me to support the needs and goals of patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals and push for policies and practices that promote equal access to high-quality treatment. I can lead change initiatives, establish cooperation and creativity, and improve nursing and patient-centered care by developing these leadership skills.
Plan to Expand Leadership Toolbox
My future leadership toolbox requires a diversified strategy to enhance my skills and competencies to navigate the changing healthcare industry. First, I understand the necessity of continued education in change management, strategic planning, and healthcare policy. Leadership courses, seminars, and certifications will equip me to lead change projects, build strategic plans, and advocate for legislative changes that improve patient care and results. Staying current on leadership, healthcare trends, and best practices will help me adapt to new problems and become a proactive and forward-thinking nursing leader.
Mentorship from experienced nursing and healthcare executives can facilitate professional progress. Using mentors ‘ advice, I can learn how to solve complicated problems, improve my leadership abilities, and comprehend healthcare leadership. Mentors share their experiences, lessons gained, and best practices, which can improve my leadership and healthcare change agent skills. Regular contacts and mentoring sessions may help me gain the confidence and skills to lead change projects with grace and resilience, benefiting patients and healthcare organizations. Actively seeking leadership roles in professional organizations, committees, and community initiatives will allow me to share my expertise, collaborate with peers, and advocate for policies and practices that advance the AGNP role and improve patient outcomes. I can shape the future of nursing and healthcare, influence policy choices, and lead efforts to solve essential concerns by leading relevant professional societies and committees. Community initiatives will allow me to engage with varied stakeholders, form strategic alliances, and use pooled resources to solve local and regional healthcare issues. I can increase my influence through leadership, make significant changes, and advocate for patients and healthcare professionals.
Finally, self-reflection and learning are essential to my leadership growth. I can learn my strengths, weaknesses, and leadership styles from colleagues, patients, and mentors. Reflecting on past events and outcomes will help me uncover trends, lessons learned, and development areas, improving my leadership style and adaptability. Moreover, a growth mindset and lifelong learning will allow me to adapt to changing healthcare trends, challenges, and opportunities. I may become a creative and resilient leader who can transform nursing and healthcare by promoting continual improvement and self-development.
In conclusion, the future of nursing and healthcare is vibrant, with many challenges and potential for AGNPs. AGNPs may successfully navigate the changing healthcare environment and make reasonable changes by being proactive, mastering change management, and developing leadership skills. They may lead healthcare delivery by increasing patient experience, boosting population health, and decreasing healthcare costs through continual professional growth and excellence. AGNPs’ dedication to innovation and patient-centered care will define nursing and healthcare’s future, improving outcomes and ensuring sustainability.
References
Fulmer, T., Reuben, D. B., Auerbach, J., Fick, D. M., Galambos, C., & Johnson, K. S. (2021). Actualizing Better Health And Health Care For Older Adults: Commentary describes six vital directions to improve the care and quality of life for all older Americans. Health Affairs, 40(2), 219-225. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.01470
Harrison, R., Fischer, S., Walpola, R. L., Chauhan, A., Babalola, T., Mears, S., & Le-Dao, H. (2021). Where do models for change management, improvement and implementation meet? A systematic review of the applications of change management models in healthcare. Journal of healthcare leadership, 85-108. https://doi.org/10.2147/JHL.S289176
Kujala, J., Sachs, S., Leinonen, H., Heikkinen, A., & Laude, D. (2022). Stakeholder engagement: Past, present, and future. Business & Society, 61(5), 1136-1196. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/00076503211066595
write