Dr. Farzana Begum
In order to meet changing global healthcare needs and consumer expectations, healthcare systems are under transformation and restructuring across the world. In 2002, the International Council of Nurses (ICN) officially provided a position on Advanced Practice Nursing (ICN 2008a) to meet the need. An advanced practice nurse (APN) is a nurse with post-graduate education in nursing having expertise in clinical education, knowledge, skills, scope of practice in nursing, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded nursing practice. Such nurses may practice in either a specialist or generalist capacity. The two most frequently recognised APNs across the globe are Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and Nurse Practitioner (NP). The current session will contribute discussion on the various components of the APN with an intention to promote a common vision and to enable a greater understanding by the international nursing and healthcare communities for the development of APN roles to meet the healthcare needs of individuals and communities. A brief review performed to gather the information regarding APN and its various elements.
Advanced practice nurses are primary and acute care providers. APRNs have wider scope of authority/accountability/responsibility to practice such as to diagnose health problems, perform medical procedures, order lab testing, counsel patients, coordinate treatment plans, and often prescribe medications. Well-prepared APNs can meet actual and future care needs, both in hospital and primary care settings. It will reduce unplanned admissions and improve compliance to care. However, the successful implementation of APN requires support from political organizational, coordination between nursing councils and nursing educational institutions, cooperation from the multispecialty hospitals. Continuous evaluation and mentoring will definitely help in producing competent APNs as it ensures in other training programs.
Biography:
Dr. Farzana Begum has completed her PhD at the age of 41 years from Mahatma Gandhi Mission Instituet of Health Sciences, Mumbai. She is working as an Assistant Professor and a teacher, examiner for B.Sc. nursing and M.Sc. nursing programs. She has published more than 25 papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an editorial board member in few of the journals. She also has a paasion in research and humanitarian work. She is a recognised Global Goodwill Ambassador from India.
