Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) provides healthcare services to people aged 65 and older. These professionals may be involved in such settings as emergency departments, specialty clinics, intensive care units, and acute wards. The scope of duties may vary across the states.

Typical Duties and Responsibilities

Typical duties and responsibilities of AGNPs include managing medications and the implementation of the treatment plan (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy & O’Grady, 2014). These professionals are often involved in the process of diagnosing and treatment of the disorder itself as well as associated injuries. The AGNP also has an important duty that consists of training and educating patients and their caregivers on a number of issues (Mauk, 2010).

These issues include the disease treatment and prevention of other (associated) disorders or injuries, a healthy lifestyle (exercise, diet), and involvement of the community and accessible services. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay. Clearly, the effective AGNP develops proper relationships with the patient and the caregiver, which can help the healthcare professional provide healthcare services as well as psychological and emotional support.

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Major Concerns and Malpractice

One of the most common concerns in the practice of AGNP is associated with infections gained in the healthcare unit. Nurse practitioners may improperly manage medication and provide some services (especially injections) that may lead to infections (Joel, 2013). This type of malpractice has led to numerous cases of permanent injury (even brain injury and paralysis) of patients. Such cases are often associated with significant negative effects for patients, their families as well as financial losses for the healthcare unit.

Another considerable concern is the lack of collaboration among healthcare professionals. Treatment plans are often improperly followed as healthcare practitioners fail to complete the necessary documents properly (Mauk, 2010). Written communication (involving documentation) is oftn inefficient. Medic errors often occur due to this malpractice.Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay.

Malpractice Policies

One of the policies associated with malpractice is the malpractice insurance policy. Nursing professionals are encouraged to obtain this type of insurance to make sure that their interests (not the ones of the healthcare facility) are protected (Joel, 2013). This policy can have positive effects on the development of the system as the professionals’ voices are heard and their rights and interests are taken into account. Importantly, healthcare professionals can be sure that their particular actions will be analyzed. AGNP are encouraged to take full responsibility for their actions.

At the same time, this policy has quite an insignificant impact on the prevention of malpractice. Another policy is more effective in this respect.Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay.  The Nursing Practice Act (S.B. 491) includes a description of the responsibilities of nursing practitioners. It also contains descriptions of cases when NPs should address other healthcare professionals and when they can and should rely on their competence and their decisions (Medical liability: Medical malpractice 2013 legislation, 2014). As has been mentioned above, miscommunication and the lack of collaboration contribute greatly to the increase in medical errors and malpractice. This policy is efficient when it comes to malpractice prevention as there is more clarity in the scope of practice of different healthcare professionals.

Conclusion

On balance, it is possible to note that Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioners share concerns with other nursing professionals. AGNPs work with one of the most vulnerable populations and malpractice often leads to considerable negative outcomes for all the stakeholders. Numerous policies have been introduced to prevent and address issues associated with malpractice. These measures are effective in treating different aspects of the problem. It is also clear that extensive education and training, as well as proper working conditions, can decrease the rate of malpractice in healthcare units.Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay.

Reference List

Hamric, A.B., Hanson, C.M., Tracy, M.F., & O’Grady, E.T. (2014). Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Health Sciences.

Joel, L.A. (2013). Advanced practice nursing: Essentials of role development. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis.

Mauk, K. (2010). Gerontological nursing: Competencies for care. Sudbury, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Medical liability: Medical malpractice 2013 legislation. (2014).

Around the world, healthcare settings are typified by many categories of nursing professionals that receive specialized education and training to improve the health outcomes of patients. However, it is critical to note that various nursing professionals work in conjunction with other practitioners in the settings to address health issues from a holistic perspective. This paper aims at discussing the similarities and contrasts between an Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) and the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG ACNP). The differences and similarities are offered vis-à-vis educational preparation, practice environment, scope of practice, patient populations, certifications, and licensure. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay.

Gerontological advanced practice nursing is aimed at providing care for the elderly population. Nurses in this category provide counseling, health screening, comprehensive care, and crisis intervention to the senior population (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2015). They play a role of important advocate when it comes to directing efficient utilization of resources together with making referrals, which promote continuity to care, directed to the needs of the elderly (Gavin, 2014). Gerontological advanced practice nursing offer essential educational services to the elderly, their families, and other healthcare and nursing professionals taking part in their care. They turn out to be innovators in the field of gerontological nursing. On the other hand, the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG ACNP) provides direct patient management in complex and acute care settings (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2015). The program prepares registered nurses who have the acute-care experience that is necessary when it comes to providing direct patient management in complex and acute care setting (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2015). Graduates of this course are empowered to alleviate family and patient suffering, integrate evidence-based practice, and facilitate ethical decision-making ((American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2015; Blackwell & Neff, 2015).

The program is flexible enough to enable the learners having other practice goals, such as transplant, oncology, and internal medicine to explore the necessary areas within the hospitalized patient setting. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay. AG ACNP learners are required to be holders of the Advanced Cardiovascular, Life Support (ACLS) certification before entering the program. After graduation, learners will be required to sit for the Adult Gerontological ACNP examination for board certification (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2015). Credentialing of this practice is provided by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The patient population for Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) are young adults, fairly elderly who have complex acute or/and chronic health condition (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2015). ACNP graduates practice in both community and clinics that are hospital-based, in a long-term care setting, in sub-acute or skilled nursing facilities, and inpatient’s homes. The ACNP graduates work by collaborating with other members of the health care team (American Association of Critical Care Nurses, 2015).

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Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) is the independent management of adult and adolescent health care. It focuses on health promotion, primary health care management, disease education, and risk reduction. “Practitioners here provide complete physical examination, health histories, diagnose and treat many common chronic and acute problems; interpret laboratory diagnostic procedures and results; manage and prescribe medications and other therapies; offer health teaching and supportive counseling focusing on prevention of illness together with health maintenance; and refer clients to other health professionals as needed” (Gavin, 2014, p. 342). Students undertaking the program have to sit for the Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner board certification examination that is a competency based examination aimed at providing a reliable and valid assessment of the entry-level clinical skills and knowledge to nurse practitioners. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay. This certification is in line with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Certification, Examination, Accreditation, and Licensing. One is awarded credential of Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner-Board Certified (AGPCNP-BC) after completion of the eligibility requirement. The patient population of focus when it comes to Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) is made up of the young and senior patients. The graduates of Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) practice their work in long-term care settings, skilled nursing facilities, homes of patients, in the community, and in hospital-based primary care clinics (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2015).

In conclusion, both Adult Gerontological Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-ACNP) and an Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AG-PCNP) are very important in the community. They are aimed at improving the quality of health care for both young and the senior populations. They try to promote and sustain health in the community. Adult Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Essay.