My Advanced Practice Nursing (APN) Philosophy: Babcock, Lorraine
My personal philosophy about life probably sheds some light on how nursing found me.
I believe that we are put on this earth to be in service to others. The service to others can be
accomplished in many ways. I also think (bad grammar forthcoming) life is too short not to be
happy. Therefore, we should engage in work that helps others and makes us happy. For me,
nursing provides the opportunity to learn from others: patients, family members, and all of the
employees it takes to operate a healthcare organization. I feel enriched because of the diversity
to which I have been exposed. I am immersed in a supportive environment for pursuing new
knowledge and experiences. Graduate education truly does make a difference. I did not gain an
appreciation for lifelong learning, evidence-based practice, and organizational involvement until
I began the quest for my MSN in Nursing Leadership and Management (NLM). The start of my
graduate education coincided with my organization’s Magnet journey, so I also learned to
embrace the model components of the Magnet Recognition Program®: Transformational
Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge,
Innovation, and Improvements; and Empirical Quality Results. (We achieved designation!!)
1. What is advanced practice nursing and what are its components? (Education, Practice,
Research, Ethics.) How does APN relate to your beliefs about nursing and society?
Historically, the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) or advanced practice nursing
(APN) term was indicative of a nurse who provided direct patient care and who was master’sprepared; typically a nurse practitioner (NP), certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA),
certified nurse midwife (CNM), or clinical nurse specialist (CNS) (DeNisco & Barker, 2016).
Today, nursing leaders such as the authors of our textbook propose to define APN to include
roles requiring advanced skills and knowledge, like the role of nurse administrators, clinical
nurse leaders (CNLs), and nurses working in public health and in policymaking (DeNisco &
Barker, 2016). The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), in conjunction with over
forty nursing organizations, developed the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation. Alignment
of licensure, accreditation, certification, and education of APNs is believed to benefit nurses and
improve patient care (ANCC APRN Consensus Model, 2014).
The ANA states, “Nurse administrators establish the environment that gives nurses a
voice in the decision-making process and permits organizational, departmental, and unit-based
decisions to meet the needs and expectations of all stakeholders affected by those decisions”
(2009, p. 4). APNs specializing in NLM must be advocates for their nursing staff as well as push
to achieve desired outcomes.
2. How do you view the role of the APN in respect to health promotion, illness development,
health restoration, and health system integrity?
Because of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the focus of nursing must change from
treatment to illness prevention and health promotion (Huber, 2014). The APN must be a leader
in the paradigm shift required to achieve the goals and meet the regulations of the legislature.
The APN will take on new responsibilities as new models of care are developed within
healthcare organizations. APN must also understand the affect the ACA has on reimbursement
and information technology.
3. What differentiates the APN from other nurse providers and other healthcare
providers?
I believe there are several qualities that set the APN apart from other nurses and
healthcare providers. The first quality of the APN is at the core, they are a registered nurse.
Nurses are problem-solvers who have an ability to bridge the gap between the physician and the
patient. Nurses are guided by ethical principles and base their practice on evidence. Because of
the level of education obtained, the APN has a better understanding of the big picture and is
better equipped to be an active participant in many situations. Additionally, the APN is
constantly striving to attain the highest levels of excellence in practice (ANCC APRN Consensus
Model, 2014). Achieving a graduate level degree and certification(s) demonstrate the APNs
commitment to seek out new knowledge. New knowledge leads to improved patient outcomes
(American Nurses Association, 2009).
4. How does APN nursing fit into society and what is the obligation of APN to society?
The obligation of APN is to be active in the community as well as up to date on current
healthcare issues and trends. Advance practice nurses should stay in contact with their specialty
organizations, be aware of state regulations affecting their practice, and keep certifications
current (ANCC APRN Consensus Model, 2014). I believe advanced practice nurses have the
skills to venture outside their comfort zone and become significant members in events affecting
society. Organizations such as the Florida Hospital Association and the Florida Nurses
Association provide the APN with state and federal information affecting nursing as well as
current issues. The organizations welcome members and provide direction on how to pursue
advocacy and community leadership.
In addition to the legislative areas of healthcare, I strongly support APN involvement in
volunteer events. Volunteer events usually involve extensive organization and teamwork;
hallmark traits of nursing. I wanted to role model volunteerism for my son, so I have
volunteered for a variety of community events over the past fifteen years. The events organized
or supported mainly by nurses (often APNs) were by far the most efficient.
References
ANCC APRN Consensus Model. (2014). Retrieved from American Nurses Credentialing Center:
http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Certification/APRNCorner.aspx
American Nurses Association. (2009). Nursing Administration: Scope and Standards of
Practice. Silver Spring, MD: Nursesbooks.org.
American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of Ethics for Nurses with Interpretive Statements.
Silver Spring, MD: Nursebooks.org.
DeNisco, S. M., & Barker, A. M. (2016). Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential Knowledge for
the Profession (3rd ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Huber, D. L. (2014). Leadership and Nursing Care Management (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier Saunders.