Scope as an Advanced Registered Nurse
Advanced Registered Nurses (ARNs) are healthcare professionals who have obtained advanced training, either masters or doctorate, to provide quality care to patients. They are often described as physician extenders owing to the role that physicians have in supervising their professional activities (Tsimtsiou, 2017). However, the additional training of advanced registered nurses allows working with a high degree of independence and responsibility in instituting quality care to patients (Heidke, Madsen & Langham, 2020). For instance, an ARN may see a patient without a doctor’s approval, make a clinical diagnosis, or even critical medical decisions. Nonetheless, the differences in roles between an ARN and a physician are often regulated by the individual state healthcare regulations (Burns, Dooley & Armstrong, 2015). But with the changing healthcare systems, one is more likely to encounter an ARN than ever before since their increase is regarded as an essential strategy in the achievement of universal healthcare.
Statistics by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners highlight that there are approximately 290,000 nurse practitioners in the United States (U.S.) (Heidke et al., 2020). Besides, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that there are close to 240,000 nursing jobs in the country, predicting a 26 percent growth (Wolf, 2018). An ARN can work in different clinical settings, which may include nursing homes, hospitals, and medical offices (Tsimtsiou, 2017). The current certifications based on the regulations specify that an ARN can hold roles such as nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, clinical nurse specialist, and nurse anesthetist (Burns et al., 2015). The different type of nursing specialties listed above brings about a different kind of responsibility, certification, and autonomy (Heidke et al., 2020). However, when a patient is admitted for a routine check-up at the health care facility, he or she will be cared for by a whole team of professionals who will not only work together but also communicate with others to provide the services that the one needs.
Professional Nursing Organizations Influential in Advancing the Scope of ARN
American Nurses Association (ANA)
ANA is one of the largest organization that represents the interests of the 4 million registered nurses on the U.S. This association was founded in 1896 and has members in all the fifty states and also in the U.S. territories, which makes it one of the strongest voice and movement of the nursing profession (Tsimtsiou, 2017). The objectives of this association in advancing the role of ARN includes maintaining high standards of nursing practice, ensuring safety and an ethical work environment for nurses, promoting the health and wellness of the nurses, and advocating for healthcare issues affecting patient care (“5 Important Professional Nursing Associations,” 2020). These objectives are aligned with the mission of the hospital that seeks to shape the future of nursing and healthcare.
New York State Nursing Association
The New York State Nursing Association (NYSNA) was founded in 1901, which makes it one of the first state’s nursing association in the U.S. In the year 1904, the NYSNA voted to be an affiliate of the ANA. Currently, NYSNA is the largest constituent nursing affiliate of ANA. The objectives of this association align adequately with the advancement of the practice of ARNs (“5 Important Professional Nursing Associations,” 2020). NYSNA has been at the forefront in not only promoting the interests of registered nurses but also exerting its influence in the improvement of the healthcare system (Tsimtsiou, 2017). For instance, the first initiative that NYSNA undertook after registration was the passage of the state Nurse Practise Act which allowed the registration of nurses through the development of the title ‘registered nurse’ (Wolf, 2018). Also, this association once addressed the economic security of nurses through the establishment of the Committee on Nurse Relief Fund.
National Student Nurses’ Association (NSNA)
NSNA is a non-profit organization that was established in 1952 with the role of mentoring nursing students as they prepare for licensure as a registered nurse to promote professional development. Currently, the association has a membership of 60,000 members drawn across the different states in the U.S. (Heidke et al., 2020). Besides, their statistics estimate that they have distributed close to $2,000,000 worth of undergraduate scholarships to student nurses (Wolf, 2018). This association aligns adequately in the advancement of the role of ARNs through equipping nurses with skills, standards, and ethics so that they are nurtured as responsible and accountable leaders of the profession (Burns et al., 2015). Besides, it has a national convention that features career development activities and leadership opportunities giving a chance to network with other students.
The organization that I will join
The organization that will join to advance my career is the NYSNA. The roles of this association adequately match my worldview of the nursing profession. For instance, some of its objectives, such as promoting quality standards of care, ensuring an ethical and safe work environment for nurses, and advocating for better patient care are part of my strong visions that I intend to achieve in this career. By being a member, I will be exposed to a variety of professional advancement training and networking with others that will be effective in perfecting my nursing practice.
Evolving Nursing Issue
The controversial nursing issue is the Universal Health Coverage (UHC). UHC is defined as ensuring that people have access to essential healthcare services of sufficient quality while ensuring that they do not experience financial hardships as a result of accessing care (Heidke et al., 2020). This issue is essential in nursing because, according to a report by World Innovation Summit for Health and the UHC forum highlighted that the achievement of universal healthcare would not be possible without nurses (Tsimtsiou, 2017). Nurses are critical in the success of UHC because they account for a larger percentage of the health workforce. More so, nurses account for about 80 percent of the contacts with patients.
The strength in numbers of the nurses gives them a stronger voice in the implementation of UHC. However, nurses have been neglected in the in policy formulation forgetting that they have the right mindset in ensuring the achievement of universal healthcare at both the prevention and treatment stage (Tsimtsiou, 2017). Countries must thus empower nurses so that they can be able to offer cost-effective healthcare for all. This exercise will be vital in ensuring disease prevention and promoting healthcare, which are crucial levers of UHC. Statistics released by World Health Organization (WHO) estimate that 71 percent of the deaths worldwide are attributed to non-communicable diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, heart disease, among others (Heidke et al., 2020). These diseases do not only cause financial strain but also suffering that often undermines the fragile health systems (Tsimtsiou, 2017). As ARN, our role will be to manage the non-communicable diseases within the framework of UHC since we have close ties with communities and culture.
References
Burns, R., Dooley, B., & Armstrong, J. (2015). Towards Universal Health Care- A Review of the Basic Basket of Care Associated With Universal Health Care Delivery Models. Value in Health, 17(7), A417-A418. doi: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1015
Heidke, P., Madsen, W., & Langham, E. (2020). Registered nurses as role models for healthy lifestyles. Australian Journal of Advanced Nursing, 37(2), 11-18. doi: 10.37464/2020.372.65
Tsimtsiou, Z. (2017). Primary health care and universal health coverage: Achieving health for all. Health and Primary Care, 1(1). doi: 10.15761/hpc.1000102
5 Important Professional Nursing Associations. (2020). Retrieved 10 May 2020, from https://www.bestmasterofscienceinnursing.com/5-important-professional-nursing-associations/
Wolf, P. (2018). Specialty certification organizations. Nursing, &NA; 20-21. doi: 10.1097/01.nurse.0000304728.03315.a0