Nursing organizations
Nursing organizations are the backbone of professional development which are vital in engaging nurses to develop and maintain competence, enhance professional practice, and support the achievement of nursing goals (Mathews, 2016). I am a member of several nursing organizations; California Association for Nurse Practitioners (CANP), American Association of NP (AANP), American Psychiatric Association (APA), International Society of Psychiatric Health Nurses, International Council of Nurses, and California Coalition of Nurse Practitioners (CCNP). Nursing organizations strengthen the voice of nurses in politics at the local, state, and national levels (Mathews, 2016). Each organization has its owns visions and mission which include advocacy, continuing education, and certification. The overall goal is to meet the dynamic healthcare need, enhancing patient safety and quality of care, and improving patient outcomes.
Organizations Change in practice
The professional nursing organizations provide education, certification opportunities, nursing competencies, and educational conferences that help improve nursing practice. The health system is continuously changing, and advanced nurse practitioners or DNP are called to take up the roles of primary practitioners to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes (Salmond, & Echevarria, 2017). Aligning the nursing organization with DNP specialty positions one at the forefront of practice changes. They promote and integrate EBP in managing chronic conditions which have influenced positive outcomes. Nursing organizations hold annual conferences across the country and worldwide bringing nurses together where they can share education and best practices. Besides, it offers networking opportunities increasing the universality of the nursing profession.
Chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cancers are responsible for rising morbidity and mortality cases. Hypertension is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disorders, heart disease, and stroke (Wong et al., 20170. Furthermore, half of the adults are affected and most of the have uncontrolled blood pressure. Integrating EBP interventions will improve patient outcomes. The role of nurses in management has expanded over time due to the involvement of nursing organizations in political actions. The cost-effective EBP interventions integrated into hypertension management will not only improve the quality of life, lower hospital costs, and improve patient outcomes, but will save the state a lot of resources (Salmond, & Echevarria, 2017). Advanced nursing education, clinical expertise, and nursing research have been made possible by nursing organizations. Nurses and NP role in the management of hypertension have expanded over the past 50 years from blood pressure monitoring to detection, follow-up and referral, diagnosis and medication management, patient education, and performance measuring and quality improvement (Kershaw, 2017).
Change
Transforming the health system requires a reconsideration of the roles of health professionals. Nurse practitioners have ana opportunity to play a central role in healthcare transformation to create an accessible, quality, and value-driven environment for patients. The shift in focus has been urgent in the management of chronic conditions (Kershaw, 2017). In the current health system, APRNS, physician assistants, and NP are increasing while medical students and residents entering primary care have significantly declined (Mathews, 2016). Nurse practitioners should be allowed to exercise to the full extent of their training, clinical expertise, and education. Côté, Freeman, Jean, & Denis (2019) stated that nurse practitioners increase patient satisfaction, reduced hospitalization, and hospital visits, and improve the outcomes of care.
After achieving by DNP degree, I will advocate for better health services whereby patients are actively involved in decision-making. A doctorate prepares nurses to take leadership and executive positions, coordinate quality improvement and direct patient care, and policymakers (Kershaw, 2017). In managing chronic conditions especially among the vulnerable populations, I will advocate for universal health coverage, and a policy that ensures free access to health services, and medications. Being able to provide and avail health services to the disadvantaged individuals has always been my goal, and giving back to society is one of my aims as a nurse.
References
Côté, N., Freeman, A., Jean, E., & Denis, J. L. (2019). New understanding of primary health care nurse practitioner role optimization: the dynamic relationship between the context and work meaning. BMC health services research, 19(1), 1-10. Retrieved from: https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12913-019-4731-8
Kershaw, B. (2017). The Future of Nursing-Leading Change, Advancing Health. Nursing Standard (through 2013), 26(7), 31. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK209871/
Matthews, J. (2016). Role of professional organizations in advocating for the nursing profession. Online J Issues Nurs, 17(3). Retrieved from: https://www.homeworkgain.com/wp-content/uploads/edd/2020/04/Role-of-Professional-Organizations-in-Advocating-for-the-Nursing-Profession.pdf
Salmond, S. W., & Echevarria, M. (2017). Healthcare transformation and changing roles for nursing. Orthopedic nursing, 36(1), 12. Retrieved from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1097%2FNOR.0000000000000308
Wong, N. D., Lopez, V. A., L’Italien, G., Chen, R., Kline, S. E. J., & Franklin, S. S. (2017). Inadequate control of hypertension in US adults with cardiovascular disease comorbidities. Archives of internal medicine, 167(22), 2431-2436. doi:10.1001/archinte.167.22.2431