ABSTRACT
The Oncology Nursing Society's (ONS's) position on quality cancer care states that "quality cancer care incorporates the individual with cancer (and the family) as fully informed partners and decision makers" (ONS, 1997). Patients diagnosed with breast cancer are inundated with information, and oncology nurses help these patients receive quality cancer care by providing and explaining information related to their diagnosis and treatment. This information allows patients to participate in meaningful collaborative decision making. Prognostic tumor markers have provided information that can determine the natural history of breast cancer, identify women with high-risk or aggressive tumors, and help to establish a disease prognosis.
Subject(s)
Biomarkers, Tumor/analysis , Breast Neoplasms , Patient Education as Topic , Breast Neoplasms/chemistry , Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis , Breast Neoplasms/nursing , Female , Humans , Nurse's Role , PrognosisABSTRACT
Anemia is a significant issue in clinical practice. Reducing anemia can improve quality of life. Advanced practice nurses are critical to the diagnostic evaluation of anemia. The key to effective treatment is establishment of the anemic etiology. This can be done through a straightforward diagnostic approach utilizing the traditional history and physical, and standard laboratory assessment. The diagnostic process must be based on an understanding of demographics, normal physiology, and the pathophysiologic processes of the different anemias. Nurse practitioners are uniquely educated to assess anemia in a holistic manner, incorporating components of the history, physical exam, and laboratory evaluation into an appropriate diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is established, this same holistic assessment can be utilized to create a specific, patient-focused plan of care and follow-up.
Subject(s)
Anemia/diagnosis , Algorithms , Anemia/blood , Anemia/classification , Anemia/nursing , Decision Trees , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Medical History Taking/methods , Nurse Practitioners , Nursing Assessment/methods , Physical Examination/methodsABSTRACT
As the role of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP) gains more recognition, ACNPs as well as prospective employers are eager to incorporate the position into a practice setting. Because the role is in its infancy, there has been limited experience from which to draw on to provide guidance in ACNP role implementation within a practice, either private or institutional. This article will provide foundational information and strategies on how to integrate the ACNP role into a practice setting. These strategies will be useful to not only the ACNP, but also nurse administrators, case managers, clinical nurse specialists, and nurse educators in acute and critical care who are responsible for seeking innovative ways to maintain seamless quality and cost-effective patient care.
Subject(s)
Acute Disease/nursing , Job Description , Nurse Practitioners/organization & administration , Humans , Models, Nursing , Salaries and Fringe BenefitsABSTRACT
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To describe the foundational work and implementation of a nurse practitioner (NP) curriculum geared toward oncology nurses. The study is selective (not comprehensive) and reflective of one school's experience. DATA SOURCE: Journal articles, curriculum guidelines, anecdotal experience, and interviews. DATA SYNTHESIS: The NP is used more frequently in oncology, both as a clinician and for other aspects of advanced practice nursing. NPs must be prepared to fulfill graduate criteria as outlined by definitive sources for curriculum development. CONCLUSIONS: Schools must work with employers, graduates, and patients in conducting outcome evaluations to measure safety issues and role effectiveness of oncology NPs (ONPs), as well as fulfillment of all aspects of the advanced nursing practice role. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: If healthcare employers continue to rely heavily on the use of ONPs, schools of nursing must be prepared to graduate safe clinicians, experts in oncology, and advanced practice nurses, all combined into one graduate. This difficult task requires evaluation of current practices.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Nursing, Graduate/organization & administration , Nurse Practitioners/education , Oncology Nursing/education , Certification , Clinical Competence , Humans , Job Description , Program Development , Program EvaluationABSTRACT
The role of the acute care nurse practitioner is being implemented in acute and tertiary care settings. As the role evolves, questions arise. Some of these questions relate to: 1) whether a need for the role has been clearly established; 2) whether the scope of acute care nurse practitioner practice has been identified distinctly; 3) the adequacy of educational preparation; 4) certification versus licensure; and 5) the nature of the relation between this role and other forms of advanced practice nursing. In this article, the authors identify and discuss some of these questions, provide information regarding current status, and postulate further potential resolutions.
