Question

Select an advanced professional or advanced practice nursing specialty. How has past and current regulation/legislation affected the role and scope of this nursing role? What, if any, discussions are currently underway relative to the scope and role of this specialty? What resources are available to assist nurses in advocating for these roles?

Answer 1

Advanced practice nursing comprise of many specialties like Ambulatory Care Nurse, diabetes nurse, family nurse practitioner, forensic nurse, genetics nurse, hematology nurse, infection control nurse, long term care nurse, managed care nurse, substance abuse nurse, etc.

Taking substance abuse nurse into consideration, these nurses are specialized in pain management and regulating the treatment for patients addicted to drugs, alcohol or any other type of substances. Since, addiction affects mental and physical health; such nurses are trained both in mental health and general medicine. Past and current regulations have the significant impact on the scope and role of nursing. For instance, the health care system is primarily becoming patient centered due to which nurses have to adapt according to the disease, client and level of rehabilitation.

The Nurse Practice Act was enforced to ensure safe practice of nursing but the act itself is insufficient to provide necessary guidance to nursing profession. Added to this, the current environment of health care comprise of several policies, laws, and regulations that are imposed by private sector insurers, government agencies and institutions that has challenged nurses as well as patients. The challenges for nurses are continuously increasing because a nursehas to interact with patients and families and these are usually the first providers to see clearly when and how the health care system is not effectively meeting patient needs.

Nurses also come face to face with issues related with the safety of the patient, satisfaction, access to services, health disparities and clinical outcomes. Nurses too have several resources available with nurses to advocate their role, such as American Nurses Association which is typically defined by Nurse Practice Act and governed by Board of nursing. Added to this, in some states nurse midwives are being regulated by Board of Public Health and Board of Midwifery.

Several studies shows that very little is known about nurses attitudes and knowledge with respect to abuse of alcohol and drugs and therefore investigations must address the problem that can contribute to improvement in the quality of the nursing care provided to abusers. Teaching about drugs and alcohol can play an important role in nursing education that on the other hand, can help in new area of performance. The responsibility for nursing education as well as the complexity of the issues related to drugs and alcohol help in pointing out the need to be attentive and flexible to new knowledge and can enhance their clinical practice.

References:

https://www.ncsbn.org/nurse-practice-act.htm