NURS 6002 Week 6 Discussion; Examining Nursing Specialties (v1)

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Examining Nursing Specialties
You have probably seen one or more of the many inspirational posters about decisions. A visual such as a forked road or a street sign is typically pictured, along with a quote designed to inspire.
Often decisions are not so easily inspired. Perhaps you discovered this when choosing a specialty within the MSN program. This decision is a critical part of your plan for success, and you no doubt want to get it right. This is yet another area where your network can help, as well as other sources of information that can help you make an informed choice.
To Prepare:
· Reflect on your decision to pursue a specialty within the MSN program, including your professional and academic goals as they relate to your program/specialization.
By Day 3
Post an explanation of your choice of a nursing specialty within the program. Describe any difficulties you had (or are having) in making your choice, and the factors that drove/are driving your decision. Identify at least one professional organization affiliated with your chosen specialty and provide details on becoming a member.
With imminent staffing shortages in the health care profession and an increase in the volume of patients seeking primary care services, patient loads are increasing rapidly, thus making it difficult for a single primary care professional to manage all patient care needs effectively and efficiently.1-4 Therefore, policy makers are calling for new primary care delivery mod—
Norful, A. A., de Jacq, K., Carlino, R., & Poghosyan, L. (2018). Nurse Practitioner-Physician Comanagement: A Theoretical Model to Alleviate Primary Care Strain. Annals Of Family Medicine, 16(3), 250–256. https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1370/afm.2230
http://www.annfammed.org/content/16/3/250.full
doi 10.1370/afm.2230
Innovative models of health care delivery, such as advanced practice nursing roles (e.g., nurse practitioners and clinical nurse specialists), have been implemented to address challenges of increasing disease burden in the aging population, constantly growing health care expenditures, scarcity of health resources and the need for quality care.
In high income countries, the increasing burden of diseases in the aging population and scarcity of health resources sharpen the need for innovative models of health care delivery to meet the growing demand in care and maximise efficiency of care (Laurant et al., 2005; Liu et al., 2014). 
Lopatina, E., Donald, F., DiCenso, A., Martin-Misener, R., Kilpatrick, K., Bryant-Lukosius, D., … Marshall, D. A. (2017). Economic evaluation of nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist roles: A methodological review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 72, 71–82. https://0-doi-org.library.ualr.edu/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.04.012
Doi 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.04.012
I have thought for many years about becoming a nurse practitioner and which specialty I would like to become a part of. I work in the intensive care unit as a registered nurse and I love it. However, as a nurse practitioner, I do not feel as though this role suits me. Difficulties I am having are that in the back of my mind, I also love cardiac patients and would love to have a career in the cardiac area. I have always had a passion for cardiology, yet I feel strongly about working in a primary setting. The factors that have helped me make the decision to become a nurse practitioner are the facts that nurse practitioner roles can help address the challenges of increasing burden of the aging population and provide resources for quality care (Lopatina et al., 2017). With an increase in the volume of patients seeking primary care, and a shortage of staff, it is difficult for a single primary care physician to manage patient needs effectively and efficiently (Norful, de Jack, Carlino, & Poghosyan, 2018). These are the reasons I chose to become a family nurse practitioner. I chose Walden University because they are the number one program in the United States for Master of Science in Nursing (Walden University, n.d.).
A professional organization I am interested in is the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This organization offers resources to support nurse practitioners, provides patient education tools, and offers continuing education. This group also advocates for the nurse practitioner. To become a member, simply go online and click become a member, then create a profile and follow the instructions. 
Lopantina, E., Donald, F., DiCenso, A., Martin-Misener, R., Kilpatrick, K., Bryant-Lukosius, D., … Marshall, D. A. (2017). Economic evaluation of nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist roles: A methodological review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 72, 71-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.04.012
Norful, A. A., de Jack, K., Carlino, R., & Poghosyan, L. (2018). Nurse practitioner-physician comanagement: A theoretical model to alleviate primary care strain. Annals of Family Medicine, 16(3), 250-256. Retrieved from http://www.annfammed.org/content/16/3/250.full
Walden University, (n.d.). Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). Retrieved from https://www.waldenu.edu/online-masters-programs/msn-nurse-practitioner-family
Response 1
Jennifer Ellis
Jennifer, I too had considered a certified nurse anesthetist pathway. However I chose not to pursue this career because I am too sociable and enjoy interacting with people. Sitting in a confined operating room just ultimately did not suite me. So I explored other options and here I am! Also, I agree that the course work and commitment to that particular program is extensive. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetics (CRNA) often have advanced degrees with more than 2,500 clinical hours and training (PR Newswire, 2016). I agree that family nurse practitioners are an asset to a community. With the growing demand of healthcare access to the elderly population, nurse practitioners are a vital part of health care delivery (Lopatina et al., 2017).
Lopantina, E., Donald, F., DiCenso, A., Martin-Misener, R., Kilpatrick, K., Bryant-Lukosius, D., … Marshall, D. A. (2017). Economic evaluation of nurse practitioner and clinical nurse specialist roles: A methodological review. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 72, 71-82. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2017.04.012
PR Newswire. (2016). Nurse Anesthetists Showcase Role, Value in Health Care. PR Newswire US. Retrieved from https://search-ebscohost-com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bwh&AN=201601250800PR.NEWS.USPR.DC02255&site=eds-live&scope=site
Response 2
John Rowell
 My decision to choose the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) specialty is based on many things.  One factor is that I enjoy working in the emergency room and seeing a myriad of patients with varying acuities. Rural FNPs see more patients than nonrural practitioners and 92.5% report that they agree or strongly agree that they performed to the fullest of their scope of practice with complete use of their skills ( Bae, 2016).  As an FNP, I look forward to providing healthcare services to patients presenting with a broad spectrum of acuities in settings that range from the primary care office to specialty care facilities (Laustsen, 2013).  Choosing the FNP specialty is also due to the elasticity of the degree.  Being able to work in a variety of settings, be it an urgent care, family practice, or as a hospitalist, I hope to be able to stay in the area in which I now live.  I have family here and a report and work-based history with local providers. Some of my present colleagues argue that the market is saturated with FNP providers.  The number of FNP providers is predicted to grow by 130% by 2025 (Auerbach, 2012).  However, by the year 2025, there is a projected deficit of primary care providers predicted to reach between 46,000 and 95,000 (Young et al., 2016).  So to my colleagues, I turn a deaf ear.
            I plan to become of member of the South Georgia Association of Nurse Practitioners.  One can join as an FNP student or a professional practitioner.Becoming a member requires a yearly membership fee of 50 dollars for students and 100 dollars for licensed professional.  The organization supports legislation concerning healthcare reform.  They also meet monthly and host presentations by pharmaceutical companies.  In addition, they host community health fairs and foster networking among members.  They also encourage and foster collaboration opportunities to share research and practice experiences.
 
References
Auerbach, D. I. (2012). Will the NP workforce grow in the future? New forecasts and implications for healthcare delivery. Medical Care, 50(7), 606-610. doi:10.1097/MLR.0b012e318249d6e7
Bae, S. (2016). Nurse practitioner’s job satisfaction in rural versus nonrural areas. Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 28,(9), 471-478.https://doi-org.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12362
Laustsen, G. (2013). What do nurse practitioners do? Analysis of a skills survey of nurse practitioners. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners,25(1), 32-41. Doi:10.111/j1745-7599.2012.00750.x
Young, A., Chaudhry, H. J., Pei. M., Halbesleben, K., Polk, D., Dugan. M. S., & Snyder, G.S. (2016). A census of actively licensed physicians in the United States, 2014.Journal of Medical Regulations, 101(2), 8-23. Retrieved from www.fsmb.org/globalassets/advocacy/publications/2016census.pdf
I agree that becoming a nurse practitioner in a rural area can help the community. Lack of access to healthcare for underprivileged individuals can result in inadequate or unequal health care that could lead to increased risks of diseases and complications (Schroedl, 2012). I believe that nurse practitioners can help to fill the void from lack of physicians because of increased need and retiring healthcare workers. There is definitely a concern about whether the physician supply will be able to meet the growing demands of health care (Young et al., 2016). 
 Schroedl, A. (2012). Reducing racial/ethnic health care disparities through innovation and nursing advocacy. Internet Journal Of Advanced Nursing Practice, 11(2), 1. doi:10.5580/2c3d
Young, A., Chaudhry, H. J., Pei, X., Arnhart, K., Dugan. M., & Snyder, G.B. (2016). A census of actively licensed physicians in the United States, 2016.Journal of Medical Regulations, 101(2), 8-23. Retrieved from www.fsmb.org/globalassets/advocacy/publications/2016census.pdf