Advanced Practice Nurse Professional Development Plan

Introduction

Due to the medical and scientific advances of the last century, the human population has grown and average life expectancy has expanded. As a result, the need for health care providers and services continues to increase. In the last few decades, Advanced Practice Nurses have been able to provide care for patients at times when access to health care has been scarce. Not only do APNs increase the public’s access to healthcare, they also take the burden of large patient loads off of many primary care providers and other specialty physician practices. APNs include Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP), Certified Nurse Midwives (CNM), Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA), and Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNS). The implementation of APNs globally has been shown to make healthcare more effective and increase patient safety, continuity of care, and access to care (Ljungbeck & Sjögren, 2017). As a future new nurse practitioner, I recognize the importance of developing a plan that will help guide me through the process of reaching my personal and professional goals. In this paper, I will discuss my APN professional development plan by providing information regarding Florida’s scope of practice laws, my own personal assessment, networking and marketing strategies, and a curriculum vitae (CV).

APN Scope of Practice

For my Advanced Practice Nurse degree, I have chosen the route of becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), with the selected focus of Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP). To obtain a license as an ARNP in the state of Florida, the applicant must hold a valid Registered Nurse license, obtain a master’s degree or higher, submit proof of board certification from an accredited entity, show proof of malpractice insurance, and submit electronic fingerprints. When the ARNP begins work, they are to submit a written protocol established between the ARNP and the supervising physician, which must also be submitted to and approved by the board of nursing (Florida Board of Nursing, 2019). ARNPs can practice in a variety of environments such as primary care and outpatient offices, hospitals/acute care facilities, and urgent cares, for example. The scope of practice for Nurse Practitioners in the state of Florida is very specific and can be found in the Florida Nurse Practice Act. Nurse Practitioners can direct the care of designated medical issues, order occupational and physical therapy, begin, examine, and/or change treatments for certain unchallenging serious illnesses, and monitor and care for patients with fixed chronic diseases. While the guidelines I have listed are very specific, the statutes also state that if an ARNP has had the appropriate training for their specialty area, they may practice there according to the protocol established with the physician who supervises them. When it comes to prescriptive authority, an ARNP may prescribe, dispense, administer, or order any drug or controlled substances that are schedules II-V. They may also order these medications for administration to a patient in a licensed facility (The 2018 Florida Statutes, 2018).

Personal Assessment

In order to create an effective APN development plan, one must perform a self-assessment with respect to their objectives, goals, strengths, and weaknesses. Using Benner’s Novice to Expert Model, I have been able to reflect back on my six years in nursing to decide which stage of the model I fall under. The stages are: Novice, Advanced Beginner, Competent, Proficient, and Expert. After careful consideration, I feel that I fall just between proficient and expert. Competent-level performance is pronounced by whether or not a nurse can prioritize and make practical use of relevant features of urgent situations. Thinking is more aware, theoretical, and systematic rather than based on check lists and/or to-do lists. At this stage, the nurse feels they have mastered how to be organized and efficient. In addition, the awareness of their responsibility is heightened and shortcomings to their performances are acknowledged. Proficient nurses see circumstances holistically and can recognize that variables continually change with the patient’s condition. Nurses in this phase know exactly what needs to be done, whereas nurses in lower phases in the model spend more time thinking and planning. The expert phase of Benner’s model is actually harder to describe. Nurse who function at this level rely on deep levels of intuition and draw from a multitude of experiences. Practice and theory are combined at this level without even thinking about it. (Thomas & Kellgren, 2017). My strengths are problem-solving, leadership, and communication. My weaknesses are delegating and adapting to change. I like to categorize my goals into short term goals and long term goals. When it comes to short term goals, I would like to solidify my practicum locations for the program as soon as possible and get an A in this class. For my long term goals, I would like to finish this FNP program with a 4.0 GPA and land a job as a nurse practitioner in either primary care or medical aesthetics.

Networking and Marketing Strategies

When it comes to being a new to practice ARNP, networking and marketing are extremely important in finding a job. Nurse Practitioners should grow and expand a professional network for a number of reasons. As health care continues to change, the reason for keeping a close-knit network will change as well. In any career field, having a network and learning to market establishes relationships and can help foster new opportunities. Nurse Practitioners in a network can collaborate on research projects with evidence-based practice, create policies, help each other’s individual growth, and more. For a professional network to be successful, those involved should share common interests and goals, and interactions amongst the group can be done electronically or face-to-face. Local and professional organizations exist and can help nurse practitioners find the type of job they are searching for in their area (Goolsby & Knestrick, 2017). The American Association of Nurse Practitioners website is a great resource, on a national level. Users can search for jobs by keyword/location, upload their own resumes, and access tips for creating an exceptional resume (American Association of Nurse Practitioners, 2019).  On a local level, the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network can be a great resource for Floridian ARNPs. The goal of the Florida Nurse Practitioner Network is to provide a place for networking, event planning/sharing, and providing local career information and opportunities. Like the American Association of Nurse Practitioners website, users can also search for jobs and upload their own resumes.

Curriculum Vitae

Professional Summary

Six years of healthcare experience, including three years of experience as a registered nurse and relief charge nurse in critical care and acute care settings. Strong work ethic and dedicated to providing excellent quality care to all patients. Highly effective interpersonal skills and works cohesively with the interdisciplinary healthcare team.

Education

• Master of Science in Nursing, Chamberlain University – Current-November 2020
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing, University of Central Florida – August 2014
• Associate of Arts Degree, Eastern Florida State College – May 2012

Work History

Patient Flow Administrator/Administrative Nursing Supervisor – December 2017 to current
 Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, Florida

• Directs throughput and patient flow to produce superlative outcomes and provide maintenance of patient care standards
• Monitors discharges in each department and directs patient bed placement priorities based on clinical condition
• Engages closely with leaders from other departments to ensure exceptional operation in providing patient care
• Provides clinical leadership and administrative oversight for entirety of shift
• Supports staff and organizes intervention in emergency situations
• Demonstrates leadership in providing and improving the delivery of nursing care
• Showcases a positive image of the company by way of communications and actions

Registered Nurse – Cardiovascular ICU – July 2017 to December 2017
 Florida Hospital – Orlando, Florida

• Admit and manage post-operative cardiac surgeries from the operating room, such as multivessel CABG, valve repair/replacement, aneurysm repair, heart/lung transplant etc.
• Initiate/titrate vasoactive and inotropic agents
• Manage patients on CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy)
• Monitor invasive hemodynamics, such as central venous pressures (CVP), pulmonary artery pressures (PAP), and arterial lines
• Monitor vital signs, report and implement changes based on patient condition
• Analyze lab results and report abnormal lab values
• Assess, maintain, wean, and extubate patients from ventilatory support
• Monitor hourly chest tube drainage and urine output
• Manage patients with multi-system organ failure/sepsis
• Strong clinical judgment and assessment skills

Registered Nurse – Medical ICU – September 2015 to June 2017
Health First Holmes Regional Medical Center – Melbourne, Florida

• Assessment and overall care of critically ill adult-gerontology patients with diagnoses of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, GI, and GU origin.
• Relief charge nurse overseeing a 22 bed ICU, responding to code blue and rapid response calls throughout the facility
• Leader of unit projects: Surviving Sepsis Campaign, Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Committee
• Proficiency in respiratory support: Ventilator/BiPAP/high-flow nasal cannula, venti-mask, etc.
• Hemodynamic monitoring
• Management of central lines, arterial lines, peripheral lines
• Initiate/titrate vasoactive and inotropic drips
• Work closely with patients and families, maintaining communication and support

Registered Nurse – Medical/Surgical PCU – September 2014 to October 2015
Health First Viera Hospital – Viera, Florida

• Experience caring for acutely ill adult-gerontology patients with diagnoses of cardiovascular, neurological, respiratory, GI, and GU origin
• Management of post-surgical patients with ongoing assessments of wound vacuums, JP drains, NG tubes, chest tubes, etc.
• Care of the cardiac patient with specific diagnoses such as Afib with RVR, congestive heart failure, STEMI/NON-STEMI, chest pain, etc.
• Care of the respiratory patient requiring high levels of oxygen through Venti-mask, Bi-Pap, Hi-flow nasal cannula

Nurse Tech/Nursing Assistant – Medical/Surgical PCU – October 2013 to September 2014
Health First Viera Hospital – Viera, Florida

• Display strong, safety-oriented clinical skills in taking vital signs, performing lab draws and glucose checks
• Provide pre-operative and post-operative care
• Assist patients with activities of daily living including helping with meals, transferring using assistive devices, bathing, dressing and grooming
• Show empathy and maintain dignity while bathing and toileting patients
• Document vital signs, intake and output, and patient activities in the electronic medical record

Licensure/Certifications

• Active Florida RN License – No. RN9392065
• CCRN (Critical Care Registered Nurse)
• PCCN (Progressive Care Certified Nurse)
• ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support)
• CPR BLS (Basic Life Support)
• PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support)
• NIH Stroke Scale Certification

Professional Organizations

• American Association of Critical Care Nurses – 2015-current
• Sigma Theta Tau International – 2014-current

Awards

• Exceptional Performance Award Winner, Holmes Regional Medical Center Medical ICU – 2015
• VITAS Innovative Hospice Care Endowed Scholarship, UCF College of Nursing – 2013
• Eau Gallie Women’s Club Scholarship, Eau Gallie Women’s Club – 2012
• Marjorie E. Spezzano Scholarship, Health First Foundation – 2012

Conclusion

As the global population and average life expectancy climb simultaneously, the need for access to healthcare services continues to grow. Advanced Practice Nurses care for patients across the lifespan, from pre-natal to end-of-life. Of the four APN types, I chose to obtain a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialty track of Family Nurse Practitioner. With this APN degree, I will have more autonomy with my patients in prescribing medications, ordering tests and procedures, and managing chronic/acute illnesses. In composing this APN development plan, I have honed in on the Florida ARNPs scope of practice, the importance of marketing and networking strategies, establishing and maintaining personal goals, and keeping a visually appealing and direct curriculum vitae. I have reflected on my nursing career thus far and now have an even more solidified idea of how to make my dreams of becoming an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner come true.

References

• American Association of Nurse Practitioners. (2019). Job center. Retrieved from https://jobcenter.aanp.org/
• Florida Board of Nursing (2019). Advanced practice registered nurse. Retrieved from https://floridasnursing.gov/licensing/advanced-practice-registered-nurse/
• Goolsby, M. J., & Knestrick, J. M. (2017). Effective professional networking. Journal Of The American Association Of Nurse Practitioners, 29(8), 441–445. https://doi-org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/2327-6924.12484
• Ljungbeck, B., & Sjögren Forss, K. (2017). Advanced nurse practitioners in municipal healthcare as a way to meet the growing healthcare needs of the frail elderly: a qualitative interview study with managers, doctors and specialist nurses. BMC Nursing, 16, 1–9. https://doi-org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.1186/s12912-017-0258-7
• The 2018 Florida Statutes. (2018). Nurse practice act. Retrieved from http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0464/0464.html
• Thomas, C. M., & Kellgren, M. (2017). Benner’s novice to expert model: an application for simulation facilitators. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(3), 227–234. https://doi-org.chamberlainuniversity.idm.oclc.org/10.1177/0894318417708410