DQ 2: Compare two different advanced registered nurse roles with regard to ethical guidelines NUR 513 Topic 2 DQ 2 Compare two different advanced registered nurse roles with regard to ethical guidelines. Are there any differences in the ethical guidelines that govern these roles? What situations might require one role to respond differently, depending on the ethical guidelines?

DQ 2: Compare two different advanced registered nurse roles with regard to ethical guidelines NUR 513 Topic 2 DQ 2 Compare two different advanced registered nurse roles with regard to ethical guidelines. Are there any differences in the ethical guidelines that govern these roles? What situations might require one role to respond differently, depending on the ethical guidelines?

REPLY TO DISCUSSION

There are many avenues available for Registered Nurses within different types of Masters Programs. Advanced Nursing Practice Roles uniquely identify within different specialties. The two types of APN roles I have decided to compare includes Nurse Educator and Nurse Practitioner (Liaison International , 2022).

The Nurse Educator, whether it be college instruction or hospital bedside guidance, has a very important responsibility. Teaching and guiding nursing students, new grads and experienced nurses through gentle but firm instruction is an important balance (American Nurses Association, 2022). Ethical considerations can include providing constructive communication techniques for all facets of learning styles, maintaining confidentiality and anonymity, and recognizing potential of harm so the issue can be swiftly revised and improved. The nurse educator is an important resource for all areas of nursing, and performing this role with compassion and confidence directly influences healthy growth and success within all levels of nursing practices (DeNisco & Barker, 2019).

The Nurse Practitioner involves direct patient care and can span all types of specialties in medicine. Diagnosis and treatment as well as counseling in preventative care helps to create a healthy balance between the actual management of care and strategies needed for long term success. (American Nurses Association, 2022).  Nurse Practitioners do not just treat the present problem but also the patient’s future health and happiness. Ethical considerations include voluntary participation of the patient, confidentiality, and informed consent (DeNisco & Barker, 2019).

There are many ethical differences within these two APN roles. The scope of practice highly differs between the two, which directly influences the associated ethical guidelines. One huge difference is the population served. Nurse Educators directly serve the nurses and institutions, while Nurse Practitioners directly serve the patients and institutions. Both roles utilize evidence-based practice and definitive ethical standards. The response to an ethical situation differs in the fact that the educator may identify and correct situations by improving knowledge gaps and training while the Nurse Practitioner may have to adjust the plan of care accordingly and follow up with different treatment modalities.

For example: A Jehovah witness patient is diagnosed with sickle cell crisis who is dangerously anemic and needs a blood transfusion. Ethical guidelines remain in place for respecting spirituality and religion. The hospital educator may consider addressing this situation with cultivating awareness by teaching the institutions employees, which leads to building understanding and acceptance for this patient population. The Nurse Practitioner will need to adapt the plan of care to this specific situation but also directly educate the patient on the high level risks associated with the denial of the blood transfusion. The NP can help the patient define personal limits and wishes associated with the plan of care without encroaching on the validity of the religious belief.

American Nurses Association. (2022). Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN). https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/workforce/what-is-nursing/aprn

DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (Eds.). (2019). Advanced practice nursing: essential knowledge for the profession (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning. ISBN-13: 9781284176124

Liaison International (2022). Explore Health Careers. https://explorehealthcareers.org/field/nursing/

REPLY