NUR 513 Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper

NUR 513 Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper Grand Canyon University NUR 513 Dr. Marie Rudolf April 8, 2020 Benchmark - Future Scope, Role, and Professional Obligations Paper Introduction The advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) position has progressively grown to be a crucial position in the United States. APRN continue to grow as a vital role bridging the gap between physicians and the population. The amount of physicians practicing is inversely proportional to the population that they are serving, this is the reason as to why it is necessary to have APRN. In order to become an advanced practice nurse, one must return to school in an accredited postgraduate course within the specialty they are planning to practice in. APRN are, at the least, Masters-prepared or, at the highest level, Doctorate-prepared nurses. In addition to education there are also licensing requirements. APRN plays a fundamental role in current as well as the future of health care. Ranging from direct patient care to education, an APRN needs to remain up to date if not ahead of methodology and technology. APRN Educators play a pivotal role in designing, implementing, evaluating, and revising educational programs ranging from first time nursing students to nurses furthering their education. This paper will look at the future roles of nurse practitioners (in this case Nurse Educators) and their scope, the regulatory structure overseeing their practice, accreditation, and credentialing, nursing professional organizations they can hold memberships with, and challenges and evolving issue matters related to Nurse Educators. Scope of Future Role as a Nurse Educator, Regulation, Accreditation and Credentialing APRN practice is generally defined by the Nurse Practice Act and governed by the Board of Nursing. Since Nurse Educators (NE) combine clinical expertise with a desire to teach, clinical experience is an imperative aspect of becoming a Nurse Educator. NE can teach students that range from aspiring new nurses, educate in the goal of furthering the development of practicing clinical nurses, and those seeking a continued higher education. NE transition to a pedagogical role devoted to providing intellectual and education to fellow nurses and their community. NEs have the opportunity to participate in research, publish articles in scholarly journals, speak at conferences, and utilize technology (WHO, 2016). Regulations that Nurse Educators must met includes: a completion of a graduate nursing education program, including theoretical and practical components, hold a current nursing license, and a minimum of two years of clinical practice within the past five-year span. NE must also be prepared with formal teaching experience (ANA, n.d.). In regard to accreditation, it is the specific courses that the NE completes at the university that needs to be accredited. Accreditation for an institution and courses are on a regional and national level. Grand Canyon University (GCU) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) which is recognized by the United States Department of Education. GCU has held this accreditation since 1968. In addition to their long-standing accreditation, they are authorized by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education (Grand Canyon University, 2020). Certification for NE was made available in 2009 by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). NE can get two different certifications: Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) an academic educator that facilitates learning through curriculum, design, teaching, evaluation, and advisement by faculty in school of nursing (NLN, 2020). The second certification Certified Academic Nurse Educator an academic clinical nurse educator facilitating the learning of nursing students throughout clinical component of an academic nursing program. CNE was established to evaluate competence in the full scope of the academic nurse educator practice role. NE must meet specific criteria in order to apply for certification: active nursing license while practicing as a nursing educator and graduate level of education Masters or Doctorate. In addition, must met one of the two additional criteria Masters or Doctor with an emphasis on education or two years or more of employment in nursing program in an academic institution within the past five years (NLN, 2020). Three Professional Nursing Organizations Professional nursing organizations are important for all registered nurses, especially for advanced nurse professionals. This is particularly true reflecting on the regulatory structure as stated above. Professional organization provide a platform and forum on which nurses can come together regarding policies, which includes a political process. Political progressions require multiple voices in order for changes to be made. Professional bodies can help with the exchange of professional ideas for improved practice. There are very few professional organizations dedicated to Nurse Educators. Three notable professional nursing organization that NE can benefit from are the National League for Nursing, American Nurses Association, and Professional Nurse Educator Group. National League for Nursing (NLN), is an elite organization for nursing leaders and faculty within nursing education. NLN provides professional development, nursing research grants, networking, exams and public policy initiatives (NLN, 2020). NLN represents nursing education programs health care organizations, higher education, and agencies. NLN promotes superiority in all advanced specialty roles of nurse educators. They established NE as a specialty and observe and construct a means for faculty wholly demonstrate the depth and complexity of the faculty role (NLN, 2020). American Nurses Association (ANA), is known as a leader in nursing professional organization representing the interests of nations’ 4 million registered nurses. ANA is at the forefront of improving the quality of health care and holds the strongest voice for the nursing