Post a brief explanation about the differences in roles related to a CRNP, a CNM, and a PA and how each of these roles might impact the how you practice as a FNP. Be specific and provide examples. Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

Post a brief explanation about the differences in roles related to a CRNP, a CNM, and a PA and how each of these roles might impact the how you practice as a FNP. Be specific and provide examples. Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

  Providers present with many different education backgrounds. Some credentials one may see within a women’s health care setting include: certified registered nurse practitioner (CRNP) or advanced practice nurse practitioner (APNP), certified nurse midwife (CNM) and physician’s assistant (PA). This discussion will look at the different roles of an individual based on their educational background NRNP 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care.

When looking at providers one area to discuss includes scope of practice. For nurse practitioners (NPs) in the United States, state level practicing laws vary from state to state despite educational preparation for independent patient care, prescribing practices and diagnostic procedures (Poghosyan, Liu, & Norful, 2017, Kraus & DuBois, 2017). The scope of practice for an NP in Ohio falls under a reduced practice. APNPs, including a CNM, in the state of Ohio must collaborate with a licensed physician with a written agreement for prescribing practices per the Ohio Revised Code (NCSL, 2021, McCleery, et al., Freeman, 2019).  Limitations for CNM is also addressed in the state laws.  For example, a CNM in Ohio is unable to deliver breech babies or perform version (Legislative Service Commission, 2020). Prescribing practices and scope of practice for PAs also differs in the Ohio revised Code. A supervision agreement between the PA and an appropriate physician that addresses prescriptive authority for schedule II-V controlled substances along with a scope of practice agreed upon by both parties must be submitted to the State Medical Board (NCSL, 2021). As an advanced practice provider, it is important to know the scope of practice within the state, practicing guidelines within the facility, and the agreement with the supervising physician.

Another difference in these three provider roles includes their approach to care. An individual who takes the nursing path, such as a CNM or APNP, directs care with a patient-centered approach to disease prevention and education. An individual who takes the medical school approach, such as a PA, follows a disease-centered approach to health care. Clinical approaches to healthcare vary based on scope of practice, education, and practice influence (Freeman, 2019). These differences in approaches are important in team management planning NRNP 6552: Advanced Nurse Practice in Reproductive Health Care.

In conclusion, healthcare is changing rapidly in how care is provided with an emphasis on a team approach to management. As a practitioner, it is important to know the differences between the roles of different advanced practice providers. Knowing an individual’s own scope of practice within their state and surrounding states is an important aspect of providing safe care. As a provider it is also important to ensure safe care is provided to all individuals. Knowing roles of other providers is important when delegation is required.

References

Freeman, J. (2019). Family Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Scope of Practice: Who Will Decide? Family Medicine, 51(4): 305-307. doi: 10.22454/FamMed.2019.356702