NR 510 Week 1: Barriers to Practice Reference:

NR 510 Week 1: Barriers to Practice Reference:

Hain, D., & Fleck, L. M. (2014). Barriers to NP Practice that Impact Healthcare Redesign. Online Journal Of

Issues In Nursing, 19(2), 5. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No02Man02

I am aware of patient barriers. My father had an MI a few years back and he was following up with a cardiac NP for his routine follow up appointments. At first he was skeptical of his treatment plans and knowledge in medicine. I had to educate him and inform him that NPs are knowledgeable and are fully educated with medicine as much as doctors. They might even be more compassionate with patients, which can greatly improve their care. I provided him examples and had him rethink some of his past experiences with doctors on how some of them lack compassion. After this he was able to compare the difference and he did mention how the NP actually talks to him like a regular person and explains things in ways where he can understand.

I believe educating the population is extremely important to break these barriers. The population is not informed of the education NPs have to achieve in order to become providers. One way to do this is to inform the population with research in how effective NPs can be in treating common and chronic illnesses. Throughout this NP program, I have come across many scholarly articles that proved NPs are more effective in managing chronic illnesses compared to MDs, such as diabetes mellitus type 2. Therefore, we must do a better job in educating the population in the role of NPs and the extensive education and training they go through to become providers.

The purpose of this essay is to look at various obstacles APNs encounter both within New Jersey and nationwide and why it is necessary to tackle them. Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) are highly educated healthcare professionals with advanced degrees and specialized nursing experience who provide quality healthcare to underserved areas in the US (Brom et al., 2018). APNs play an invaluable role in delivering this vital service. However, despite their significant contribution, APNs in New Jersey and across the nation often face numerous barriers to practice ranging from legal constraints and limited scope of practice to insufficient reimbursement of services provided and limited resources and technology access. Addressing APN challenges through policy and advocacy efforts is imperative to ensure they can effectively contribute to improving access to quality healthcare for all patients.

Practice Barriers

Nurse midwives must work under physician supervision, which delays care delivery and adds unnecessary costs. Nurse anesthetists face restrictions in providing anesthesia independently, while nurse practitioners may be restricted in prescribing certain drugs and must enter collaborative practice agreements (Schorn et al., 2022). Clinical nurse specialists may be limited in their ability to deliver certain services and have limited job prospects, creating delays in care, higher healthcare costs, and reduced patient access to services. It is essential to address these obstacles so they can provide high-quality patient care.

Competition

APNs face several forms of competition that impede their ability to practice independently, particularly from physicians and physician assistants. Physicians tend to be seen as leaders within healthcare, possessing more resources and influence than APNs themselves (Schorn et al., 2022). Furthermore, some may view APNs practicing independently as an attack on their authority within healthcare systems and might resist APNs being independent providers altogether.

Interest Groups

Numerous interest groups influence APN policy at both state and national levels. These include professional nursing organizations, consumer advocacy groups, and healthcare organizations. Professional nursing organizations like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists advocate for policies to promote Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) practice while removing practice barriers posed by APNs. Furthermore, these organizations aim to raise awareness regarding its significance and expand its scope. Consumer advocacy groups such as the American Consumer Institute and AARP also play an integral role in shaping APN policy. These organizations lobby for policies that ensure access to high-quality healthcare at an affordable cost, including practices like APNs. Their advocacy helps ensure patients receive the care they require regardless of location or financial circumstance. Healthcare organizations such as hospitals and insurance companies also play an integral role in APN policy development. These entities may support policies that expand APN practice to increase access and decrease healthcare costs; convers