Visionary Role Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Visionary Role - Essay Example He/she uses electronic devices; problem-based learning and the media to access resources, which enhances his/her practice and performance. In addition, a nurse practitioner rapidly expands his/her knowledge through the increasing utilization of informatics and technology in education and practice. The nursing role is also patient-centered care, which incorporates safety, engagement and privacy of the patient (Sines, Saunders, & Forbes-Burford, 2013). According to the United States Bureau of Statistics, in the next 50 years, the population of the elderly will have increased drastically. The generation of baby boom, that is, babies born between 1946 to 1964, will be over 65 years between 2011 t0 2029. In the United States, the population of the elderly will be 19 million between 2000 and 2020. The improvements in nutrition, medical care and safety have increased longevity, which means the number of elderly will grow more. This implies that many people will have disabilities, chronic di seases and living in substandard conditions and in institutions. Hence, these individuals will require considerably more healthcare services than the younger generations. Currently, the scope of a nurse practitioner entails prevention and wellness services; diagnosis and management of various common uncomplicated diseases and chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Nurse practitioners have the same capabilities, skills and knowledge as physicians; however, they are limited in the scope of their work. In the future, it is expected that the scope of nurse practitioners will be broadened, in order to allow them prescribe medication without supervision from a physician; practice autonomously in retail clinics; certify home healthcare visits and admission of patients to hospitals. The specific responsibilities of a family nurse practitioner are: offer general and preventive care; treatment of diseases; conduct check-ups; prescribe medication for adults and children and order for laboratory t ests. The specific responsibility that might change is prescription of medication under the supervision of a physician. A family nurse practitioner forms an effective collaboration with a physician. Both the physician and the nurse practitioner have similar roles; nevertheless, a physician brings in more expertise and in-depth knowledge to patient care. In addition, a physician has the capability to make advanced clinical decisions and carry out special procedures; thus, serving as an outstanding resource in practice. The combination of the two roles results in the sharing of similar objectives and reflecting each other’s practice, which gives a comparable and consistent patient medical management (Clarin, 2007). The role of a family nurse practitioner is relevant in various medical systems, such as: hospitals; community health care centers and private practice. The structure of hospitals flows in a hierarchical order in the following manner: Directors; Executives; Department Administrators; Patient Care Managers and Service Providers. The population that is served by a family nurse practitioner is diverse. The number of the elderly is higher compared to other age groups. This implies that there are many individuals with disabilities and chronic diseases; many live in substandard conditions, institutions or alone. There is the group of ethnic