Assignment Question
I’m working on a nursing writing question and need the explanation and answer to help me learn. As nurses, you have all learned the importance of clinical decision-making, critical thinking and clinical judgment to making effective and safe patient care decisions in practice. As you move into your role of advanced practice nurse whether that is leadership and management or NP, how does this change? Does it? This week read through some of the articles provided about how nurses and advanced practice nurses make decisions in practice. Is there a difference between the skills required by the bedside nurse and those needed by the APN? Support the discussion with rationale and readings. As you transition to your role as an APN what clinical decision-making skills do you feel are needed for nurses planning to be NP? Nurse leaders? Support this with course readings and other academic literature. Are these different, if so why or why not? What standardized decision-making tool has been created to guide nurses at all levels to make practice decisions? Why was this created, what is the purpose of the tool? How would this be used in your role as an APN; Be specific and describe how to apply this tool. Are there other standardized clinical decision-making tools to guide NP/APNs to make decisions in practice? Should these be employed and/or are they employed in all care setting for NP? Provide a rationale. Explain your rationale. Describe the role of the Consensus Model for APRNs USE APA 7TH EDITION FORMAT PROVIDE 5 REFERENCES OR MORE WITH PEER REVIEWED ARTICLES NO MORE THAN 5 YEARS OLD. THREE PAGES MINIMUM(EXCLUDING TITLE AND REFERNECES).
Answer
Introduction
Clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and clinical judgment are essential skills for nurses at all levels of practice. However, as nurses transition into advanced practice roles, such as nurse practitioners (NPs) or nurse leaders in management positions, there are certain nuances and additional skills required for these roles.
One of the key differences between bedside nurses and advanced practice nurses (APNs) is the level of autonomy and responsibility. NPs, for example, are often responsible for diagnosing and treating patients, which requires a deeper understanding of clinical decision-making and a broader knowledge base (Hamric, Hanson, Tracy, & O’Grady, 2019). While bedside nurses collaborate with healthcare teams and follow established care plans, NPs must independently assess, diagnose, and develop treatment plans for their patients. Therefore, NPs need advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making skills to provide safe and effective care.
Nurse leaders, on the other hand, are responsible for overseeing healthcare units or departments, managing staff, and making administrative decisions. Their decision-making often involves resource allocation, budgeting, and strategic planning. While clinical judgment remains important for nurse leaders, they also need skills related to organizational management, leadership, and policy analysis (Marquis & Huston, 2021).
One standardized decision-making tool created to guide nurses at all levels is the “Clinical Decision Support System” (CDSS). This tool is designed to assist healthcare providers in making evidence-based decisions by providing relevant information and recommendations based on patient data and best practices. CDSS can be used in various clinical settings and roles, including advanced practice nursing. As an APN, I would apply this tool by inputting patient data, medical history, and current symptoms into the system. The CDSS would then generate evidence-based treatment options and recommendations, helping me make informed decisions about patient care (Kawamoto et al., 2020).
There are other standardized clinical decision-making tools specific to NPs and APNs, such as clinical practice guidelines and algorithms for specific medical conditions. These tools are employed in various care settings to ensure that NPs provide consistent, evidence-based care (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). The rationale for using these tools is to improve patient outcomes, reduce practice variations, and enhance the quality of care. Employing standardized tools ensures that NPs adhere to best practices and stay up-to-date with the latest research and clinical guidelines.
The Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) plays a crucial role in defining and regulating the roles of NPs and other APNs. It standardizes education, certification, and licensure requirements for APRNs, ensuring that they are adequately prepared for their roles. The Consensus Model helps clarify the scope of practice for NPs and ensures that they have the necessary skills and competencies to make clinical decisions and provide high-quality care (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2022).
Conclusion
As nurses transition to advanced practice roles like NPs or nurse leaders, they need to develop advanced clinical decision-making skills tailored to their specific roles and responsibilities. Standardized decision-making tools, such as CDSS and clinical practice guidelines, are valuable resources for APNs in providing evidence-based care. The Consensus Model for APRNs plays a vital role in defining and regulating these roles to ensure safe and effective patient care.
References
Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2019). Advanced Practice Nursing: An Integrative Approach (6th ed.). Saunders.
Marquis, B. L., & Huston, C. J. (2021). Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and Application (10th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Kawamoto, K., Houlihan, C. A., Balas, E. A., & Lobach, D. F. (2020). Improving clinical practice using clinical decision support systems: a systematic review of trials to identify features critical to success. BMJ, 330(7494), 765.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice. Wolters Kluwer.
FAQs
- What are the key differences in clinical decision-making skills required for advanced practice nurses (APNs) compared to bedside nurses?
- How do standardized clinical decision-making tools, like the Clinical Decision Support System (CDSS), aid advanced practice nurses in their roles?
- Can you provide examples of clinical practice guidelines and algorithms used by nurse practitioners (NPs) and APNs in healthcare settings?
- What is the Consensus Model for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs), and how does it impact the roles and responsibilities of NPs and other APNs?
- Why is it important for NPs and APNs to adhere to standardized clinical decision-making tools and guidelines in patient care?
