Professional Advocacy through Association Membership

Professional Advocacy through Association Membership

Introduction

Professional nurse practitioner associations have been pivotal in their roles in supporting and showing that advanced nurse practitioners are making a difference and their contributions to patient care cannot be overlooked. In recent years, The NP role has expanded greatly in the primary setting as very often they are the first point of contact for patients. The Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners has been a strong advocate in helping to further the role of the NP. Also, the growth of nurse practitioners has helped to increase the availability of primary care providers thereby increase access to patient care services. It is projected that by 2025 just 60% of primary care providers will be physicians; the equalization of care will be provided by  (NPS) and, to a lesser degree, physician assistants.

Discuss the mission and vision of this organization

Although nurse practitioners are educated and trained, however, many are still not able to practice according to their education and training. The FLANP seeks to improve the healthcare system by removing legislative barriers that prevent NPs from practicing according to their fullest (FLANP. Org). Their vision is to ensure that patients have access to a primary care provider when they need it. The FLANP state “It is their policy to educate the public on health issues and the advanced practice of nursing in order to promote health and contain costs”. This organization seeks to accomplish its mission by working collaboratively with other corporate, governmental, non-governmental, and professional organizations toward the accomplishment of their mission (FLANP.org). An example of their affiliation is the AANP. The  AANP being a national organization is not directly involved in working to remove practice barriers in FL, however, they support organizations like the FLANP in their efforts (FLANP.org).

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Many states have recognized NP’s contribution to patient care. This organization has maintained its commitment to ensuring excellence. This organization over the years has demonstrated that to impact change, NP’s of all certifications must have a unified voice as demands for primary care increase due to an aging population. The aging of baby boomers, the prevalence of chronic diseases has increased drastically as of late and most likely will continue to drift upward because of anticipated longer life expectancy (Managing chronic disease in affordable primary care, 2018).

Their mission is aimed at improving the lives of all individuals needing healthcare services. NPs today are practicing in many rural areas and underserved communities. Also, many of these individuals they care for, are affected by factors such as poverty, poor literacy that can impact their access to care. According to Sonenberg, Knepper & Pulcini, (2015), the introduction of the ACA, those newly insured individuals will enormously increase the amount of patients seeking primary care providers particularly Medicaid recipients.

Describe the requirements for membership.

Nurse practitioner students can apply for membership with this organization. Membership includes one-time fee to be able to access their resources and participate in conferences and events that they offer. All other requirements for membership include one that has either an NP licensed or a retired nurse practitioner. However, the requirements fees for students are discounted which makes it easier for students to join.

Five benefits to belonging to this organization.

Among the many benefits found in this organization, some notable ones include:

• Access to annual conferences
• Continuing education opportunities to help meet recertifications
• Availability to research articles
• Awareness of current issues affecting Florida Nurse practitioners
• Job listings.

As NP students, having the opportunity to attend conferences is a unique opportunity because exposure to other professionals allows the student to learn about new issues affecting nursing practice. These conferences help both students and NP professionals stay current on issues affecting nursing practice as well as new research findings affecting patient care delivery. This organization also provide access to numerous news article and journals on their website at no additional cost. Among the benefits of continuing education, NPs, in order to maintain their certification must meet recertifications requirements by obtaining continuing educations as NPs must be recertified every 5 years to practice. Also, this association is another resource for both new graduates and seasoned NPs to search for employment or other career opportunities.

Current key issues of concern

• Removal of physician supervisory licensure requirements on Nurse Practitioners house
• Ability to sign a Baker act senate
• Ability to certify DNR order

Currently, nurse practitioners practice in Florida is considered restricted as they must have a supervising physician to practice.  A recent estimate showed that an estimated 3 million individuals who reside in FL have obtained healthcare coverage due to the ACA (FLANP.org). This data without a doubt show that the demands for primary providers will continue to increase.

 In many states, nurse practitioners can work independently according to their education and training. These conflicting regimens lead to inconsistency regarding independent practice in primary care and may keep NPs from utilizing their clinical abilities and education in providing timely care for patients (Poghosyan, Boyd, & Knutson, 2014).  Some other states have what they called “ Collaborative practice” meaning they must work in collaboration with a physician. Another key issue is their inability to sign baker acts. Depending on the setting of the NP’s practice, certain patients occasionally require psychiatry evaluation for some acute mental health problems, however, only a physician can decide to baker act while the evidence shows there is a lack of physicians practicing in the primary care setting. Currently, nurse practitioners in Florida are not allowed to certify DNR orders. This restriction interferes with patient’s and family’s rights as it restricts their ability to make end of life decisions about their care and preferences. Currently, the bills for removing NP restriction and their ability to sign DNR are in the House and the bill to remove restrictions on the NP’s ability to baker act is in the senate.

Current legislative efforts being done by this organization

NP regulation of practice

This organization advocates that removing restrictive Nurse Practitioner licensure laws, has been demonstrated in other states to increase primary care access and reduce costs and have an added benefit of attracting more Nurse Practitioners into a state, thus improving economic activity (FLANP.org). As of November 12th, 2019, this organization has filed a legislative bill called HB 607:  contents of this bill state “Advanced Practice Registered Nurses; Authorizes autonomous practice for advanced practice registered nurses; requires Board of Health or DOH to register advanced practice registered nurse if applicant meets specified criteria; requires registered advanced practice registered nurses to report adverse incidents to DOH; provides grounds for denial of license or disciplinary action”.  Today, besides the increase in refugees in Florida and individuals with more access to health coverage in relation to the affordable act, there is a clear need to increase the availability of providers in the primary care setting. Nurse practitioners offer ease of access to care, particularly in underserved areas, eliminate delays in care, and enable patients to designate the health care provider they want (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2015).

How membership to this organization can promote the NP profession

Membership supports this organization’s efforts to advance the cause and remove barriers affecting the NP practice in this state. Membership demonstrate that practitioner are united in one voice and have coordinated their efforts to elevate the nursing profession. Membership promotes the NP profession as it raises the awareness of the different issues affecting NP practice. Additionally, membership to this organization demonstrates that all NPs are part of the solution and they all fighting for a common cause. 

Conclusion

Individuals have the opportunity to join either their local chapter or state chapter. NPs from all areas of practice must demonstrate leadership to the profession by staying committed and involved within their respective NP association. States with restrictions not only is a barrier to the nursing profession but also a hindrance to patient care. Patients need timely services and they don’t need to worry whether they have access to a primary care provider. N in all professions must unite their voices to fight for the advancement and removal of barriers for Np practicing in either restrictive or collaborative states. 

References

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2015). Quality of nurse practitioner practice. Retrieved, from https://www.aanp.org/images/documents/publications/qualityofpractice.pdf.
• Freeman, L. (2019,). Health positions remain in demand: More specialists sought for an aging population. The News Press Retrieved from https://libauth.purdueglobal.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.libauth.purdueglobal.edu/docview/2258063242?accountid=34544
• Managing chronic disease in affordable primary care. (2018). The journal for nurse practitioners, 14(6), 496-501.e1. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2018.03.007
• Poghosyan, L., Boyd, D., & Knutson, A. R. (2014). Nurse practitioner role, independent practice, and teamwork in primary care. Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 10(7), 472–479. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2014.05.009
• Sonenberg, A., Knepper, H., & Pulcini, J. (2015). Implementing the ACA: The influence of nurse practitioner regulatory policies on workforce, access to care, and primary care health outcomes. Poverty and Public Policy, 7(4), 336–356. https://doi.org/http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/%28ISSN%291944-2858/issues