Nurse Practitioners Are Stepping Up to Meet Access to Primary Care Services Across the United States: A Time for Policy Change.

This month's column highlights the need for access to primary care services across the United States and how nurse practitioners (NPs) have risen to meet this need. The authors discuss the modernization of licensure laws that will remove unnecessary barriers to full and direct access to NP healthcare services.

Proctitis in Men Who Have Sex with Men.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are diseases that are transmitted from one person to another person through acts of vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse. The increased presence of STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) results in a higher rate of STI-related diagnoses, such as proctitis. Proctitis is a common, but often misdiagnosed condition experienced by MSM who present to primary care, urgent care, and emergency settings. It is important that health care providers be knowledgeable of the pathophysiology, risk factors, and clinical presentation of proctitis among MSM for accurate and timely management.

Update on Clinical Practice Guidelines for Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

It has been more than 38 years since the first reported case of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Over this period of time, there has been an evolution in the care, management, and survival of those living with HIV and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Current efforts to stabilize HIV incidence have targeted pharmacologic management with antiretroviral therapy (ART) coupled with programs that focus on individual characteristics, social norms, and structural barriers. It is important that clinicians are knowledgeable of prevention efforts and up-to-date clinical practice guidelines in order to best provide care for people living with HIV.

Writing a Diversity and Inclusivity Statement: Guidelines for Nursing Programs and Faculty.

BACKGROUND: For decades, nursing programs have worked to address the need for a culturally diverse workforce and student body to better reflect the populations they serve. The development of a diversity and inclusivity statement is a first step in ameliorating this issue. PROBLEM: A clearly communicated diversity and inclusivity statement should demonstrate a nursing organization's commitment to the value of people from all backgrounds. It should include language that emphasizes the value of diverse cultures, experiences, thoughts, and contributions. APPROACH: Nursing faculty can benefit from an organized and literature-supported model for writing meaningful diversity and inclusivity statements. CONCLUSIONS: Such an approach will communicate a nursing program's commitment to diversity and inclusion in the organization's mission, policies, practices, relationships, and curricula. This article provides nursing faculty with evidence-supported guidelines for writing meaningful diversity, inclusion, and equity statements for their nursing programs.

A checklist for faculty and preceptor to enhance the nurse practitioner student clinical experience.

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners collaborated to develop a document outlining expectations when establishing clinical experiences for nurse practitioner (NP) students. A literature review explored the beliefs of clinical preceptors and NP faculty in relation to the process of the establishment and completion of successful clinical experiences. From the literature, the development of two guidance checklists addressed the expectations and responsibilities of the NP faculty and clinical preceptor during the clinical placement process. In light of challenges to secure clinical sites for NP students, it is imperative that the clinical placement process is standardized and the communicative pathway between the NP faculty and clinical preceptor improved.