Np Role Model

The focus of this role analysis paper will be on the role of the family nurse practitioner (FNP), specifically within New Mexico, since the scope of practice can vary from state to state. An FNP, also referred to as simply nurse practitioner (NP) in many studies, is a nurse with an advanced practice degree as well as national certification. Their focus is on preventative care for people of all ages, from young children up to elderly adults. A majority of FNPs work in primary care clinics, but are not limited to this field, some also work within hospitals or in specialized clinics as well. When discussing the difference between the NP and the clinical nurse specialist, one study stated that "initially developed to meet the needs of underserved

State and local legislatures also worked to get NP's more prescriptive privileges. (Marchione et al., 1980) Although many advances had been made within the role of the NP, there was still some confusion regarding their educational requirements as well as scope of practice. Then, more recently in 2008, The Consensus Model for APRN Regulation: Licensure, Accreditation, Certification & Education, further defined the role of the advanced practice registered nurse and its' educational requirements. The model defined the educational requirements as "formal education with a graduate degree or postgraduate certificate awarded by an academic institution and accredited by a nursing or nurse-related accrediting organization." (Summers, 2011, p. 11) It also requires that the curricula within these educational institutions comply with the "3 Ps: three separate comprehensive graduate-level courses (the APRN Core) in advanced physiology / pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced pharmacology." (Summers, 2011, p. 11) These continue to be the current educational requirements for the

The American Nurses Credentialing Center is the one who provides the national board certification, which is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies and the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification. The exam aligns with the Consensus Model for APRN Regulation and once achieved gives the applicant the title of Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified (FNP-BC). In order to be eligible to take the examination, the applicant must have a current RN license and have a master's or doctorate degree from an accredited FNP program. They must also have a minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours. Once certified, the FNP-BC is required to renew certification every 5 years. In order to do so, they must have completed 75 continuing education hours in their certified specialty, 25 continuing education hours of pharmacotherapeutics, hold a current RN license and ANCC certification as well as complete 1 of the other 8 potential renewal categories as found on the ANCC website. (American Nurses Credentialing Center Website,