Consensus Model

According to the Consensus model for APRN’s Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education (2008), nurse practitioners are autonomous members of the healthcare team, providing care to individuals across the life span. They are educated to diagnose and treat undifferentiated symptoms, as well as, manage established diagnoses. They are able to obtain detailed histories, provide initial and ongoing care while ordering durable equipment medications, labs, imaging studies while interpreting results, and setting up referrals. In the clinic setting nurse practitioner help to prevent disease, manage disease, educate on specific diseases, and council on disease. Nurse practitioners are able to contribute to the National Patients Safety
In this study, 44843 patients participated across 13 main health clinics and 8 satellite clinics. Within these clinics were 53 full times Family Physicians (FP) and 41 full time Nurse Practitioners (NP). Their patients were classified into three separate groups depending on who had oversight of the patients: FP, shared, and NP. The data concluded that FP saw 52% of the patients, 29% NP and 18% were under shared care. The data also concluded that FP were more likely to see patients that were more complex; meaning, they had or were diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, mental illness, diabetes, and lung disease. While NP were more likely to see more vulnerable patients, woman, and children. This corresponded to the following data. The age of patients that FP saw averaged 56 years, shared oversight were about 34 years old, and NP saw patients that averaged 18 years. On average, the FP had a female population of 53%, NP 65%, and shared care 61%. According to this study, NP were to see the majority of walk-in’s and same day urgent care visits; accounting for 27% and 20% of NP visits; contrary to FP visits which accounted for 9% and
This article describes both a literature review and a primary research study. The literature review determined that there is a lack of understanding regarding the role of the nurse practitioner; while others didn’t understand the accountability of the nurse practitioner. In the research study, it was determined that in Canada there were more nurses in research and leadership roles. When ED patients were surveyed it was determined that NP’s were the preferred provider over other professionals. In Australia, there were similar findings in which patients felt that their needs were more likely to be met. However, when healthcare providers were surveyed it was determined that there was little trust in the ability of the NP to diagnose and treat. Overall, the article states that there is a clear need for global clarity of the role of the NP; because the role is so poorly defined it is hard to broaden the scope of the NP within the hospital setting (Hurlock-Chorostecki,, Forchuk, Orchard, Soeren, & Reeves (2014). Fortunately, in the United States the role of the NP is becoming more specific; such as, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, or Family Practice. This article clearly indicates that there is a need