The increasing demand for quality healthcare services is straining the healthcare system worldwide. The shortage of nurses, physicians, and other healthcare practitioners and the increasing demands put pressure on the healthcare sector. This has forced politicians in many countries to reconsider the distribution of work between different healthcare professionals.
The roles of registered practical nurses in Ontario and the scope of practice have been reevaluated in many countries. In fact, the cost-effectiveness and quality of healthcare systems have significantly improved. But with a plan to reduce patient waiting times to get basic healthcare needs, it’s essential to question how advanced practice nursing has influenced the healthcare industry.
How to Define Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)
Advanced practice nursing is a collective term for a variety of nursing types, including nurses working in diverse advanced roles. The concept and education of advanced practice nurses or nurse practitioners emanated from the United States in the 1960s. Today, advanced practice nursing includes clinical nurse specialists, midwives, nurse practitioners, and nurses. In fact, advanced practice nursing has become a well-established professional group in Canada, New Zealand, the USA, Australia, the UK, and Holland.
Impacts of Advanced Practice Nursing (APN)
Advanced practice nursing has impacted the healthcare industry in several ways. Some of the most common ways the healthcare industry has been impacted by advanced practice nursing include:
- They leverage physicians by stepping in
- They improve the reputation of hospitals
- They help the public
They Leverage Physicians by Stepping in
While registered practical nurses in Ontario are not physicians, they can assist with providing primary care. This implies that they can help improve productivity in the hospital. For instance, when older adults or chronically ill patients visit the hospital for treatment, advanced practice nurses can attend to them. This ensures that patients don’t have to wait for too long.
They Improve the Reputation of Hospitals
Many people don’t know that advanced practice nurses can be as good as their MD counterparts. They know the hospital and the healthcare system. They also have the talent and knowledge to provide quality care and will perform excellently if they step in for a doctor. Their effectiveness will improve the reputation of hospitals.
They Help the Public
Healthcare is not restricted to hospitals, as it can also be provided in public. A significant concern of healthcare officials is the increasing number of public health diseases and crises. Thankfully APNs can step in and help.
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