Each studentwill arrange to interview, virtually, an advanced practice nurse (CNS, NP, CRNA, or CNM).
Note:You have the option of doing this final paper with one other student, in which case you will need to add a paragraph after the references section that outlines/justifies your participation in the completion of the paper as part of your grading rubric. Use the interview questions listed below as a
guidefor paper content. Note that the interview questions address objectives listed throughout the four modules of the course. Finally,
analyze the informationobtained based on clinical practice standards, the laws, and the literature. For each question refer to the BON, certifying boards or peer-reviewed journals to identify and document the appropriate and necessary actions the APRN should take. For instance, analyzing the accuracy and adequacy or the APRN’s job description and explaining the purpose of a job description. Please note that this paper is not supposed to be a transcript of your interview, but that you should use the literature and readings from the course to supplement and analyze components of your interview. For example, the question related to APRNs and policy involvement, if your APRN states she does not have time for being involved in policy involvement, finding some literature out there related to prevalence or challenges of APRN involvement in policy. Please review the rubric for the paper when writing the paper as the analysis piece of it is worth 35 points. The
analysisshould be brief but thorough.
References should be cited in the analysis and included on the reference list according to APA style.
Considerations for Seeking an APRN to Interview
- The APRN should be employed in an advanced practice role and practicing in an advanced practice role at the time of the interview.
- The student will share the objectives of the paper. A written list of the assigned questions will be made available to the APRN by the student upon request.
- Assure the APRN the information discussed in this paper is for educational purposes only and will not be disseminated.
Paper Format and Length
Write and format the paper usingAPA, 7thedition,with a maximum length of 7 pages (excluding title page and appendices). Any sample documents (e.g., APRN’s job description, performance evaluation) may be placed in the Appendix and areNOTincluded in the page limit.
Questions to Guide the Interview
- What nursing licenses does the APRN have and in what APRN role(s) and population foci does the Texas BON authorize this APRN to practice? How long has the APRN been practicing in this APRN role and population focus area? How long has he or she been in their current position?
- Where did the APRN obtain his/her post-basic RN training as an APRN? Was the program an accredited certificate program, an accredited Master's level program or an accredited DNP program? In what ways did the APRN feel, or not feel, prepared to practice when they graduated?Compare the ways in which the APRN did or did not feel competentto the core and population competencies applicable to the APRN’s practice (i.e., NONPF core and population competencies for NPs). What does the APRN wish he or she had known when beginning practice that their educational program did not teach them?
- Who is the APRN’s employer? Does the APRN see patients in multiple practice settings? Describe each setting and the APRN’s role in that setting. Describe the collaborative relationship the APRN has with the physicians in his or her practice. What are some of the struggles/challenges and advantages of this relationship?
- Who is responsible for making practice decisions in the APRN’s workplace? Is this done by one person or is it a formalized collaborative process?
- Does the prescription form meet the legal requirements, or if prescribing electronically, is the APRN able to “sign” the prescriptions and include other required information? Does this APRN prescribe controlled substances? If so, what schedules does the APRN order or prescribe and what steps has the APRN taken to comply with the controlled substances laws?
- How are the services provided by the APRN reimbursed—under the APRN’s provider number or under the physician’s? If the APRN’s services are billed under the physician’s provider number, how does the practice ensure their billing is compliant with applicable laws such as Medicareincident tobilling guidelines? If billing under the APRN’s provider number, in how many managed care (MC) plans is the APRN a provider? Did the APRN or employer encounter problems during the credentialing process? If the APRN is a primary care provider (PCP), is the APRN identified as a PCP on the MC plans? How does the practice ensure billing is compliant with applicable laws?
- How does the APRN keep current regarding the BON rules/regulations for APRNs in the state of Texas, or whatever state they are practicing in? Have they been involved in any performance outcome or quality improvement projects as an APRN? If so, describe their role and involvement in such a project.
- How does the APRN get involved in APRN/nursing leadership/policy/legislative activities (i.e., giving money, time)? Do they have an example of any sort of policy initiative they were involved in either at the facility level or hospital level or professional organization level?
- Does the APRN use any tools or standards to determine his or her ongoing competence to treat the APRN’s patient population? What process and/or documentation does the APRN use if expanding the competencies the APRN currently has (e.g., a professional portfolio)? Does this method meet BON requirements?