APN Philosophy
In my baccalaureate level, my philosophy of nursing was based on the disease processes, skills, and patient and family education. The science of nursing focus was on the scientific process of maintenance and restoration of the health of families and communities through education and patient health review.
As I prepare for advanced practice nurse leader role, my focus has transitioned to not only maintaining, restoring, and improving the overall families and community health, but also assuming some indirect roles in case management, care coordination, quality improvement and development of the practice for staff nurses. Advance Practice Nurses have developed abilities due to specialized knowledge and skills acquired through experience and education. APNs not only focus on skills and tasks but also articulate about nursing, use reasoning to deal with practice innovations, and develop and contribute to newer forms of practice. Advanced nurses apply practical, theoretical, and research-based competencies to phenomena experienced in the nursing practice. Nurse leaders stay tuned on the organization’s staff and customer outcomes, and develop or contribute to interventions and initiatives aimed at creating positive outcomes. As a nurse leader, participation in continuing education and utilization of evidence-based information is beneficial for the staff and patient development.
As an advanced nurse leader, being culturally and emotionally competent enables one to work with the complex population of patients and healthcare professionals, and within the ever changing healthcare environment. The nurse leaders are guided by the ANA Standards and Scope of Practice of Nurse Administrators guidelines in respect to health promotion, illness development, health restoration, and health system integrity. Advanced practice practitioners enforce collaboration to solve problems in an atmosphere of mutual respect, and also seek consultation on matters outside the scope of their practice.
As a nurse leader, I must adhere to professional ethics as indicated in the ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Responsibility and accountability is expected of all nurse leaders and the healthcare professional who work under them. A nurse leader must ensure that Code of Ethics guidelines are adhered to, and that proper training or education is available for the staff. A nurse leader also consults with the ethics committee in events that create ethical dilemma, and assists the staff, patients and caregivers in making the appropriate healthcare choices.
In my role as a nurse leader, my ultimate goal is to ensure that healthcare delivery is carried out without any discord. Effective communication, staff engagement and motivation, and constructive criticism followed with appropriate education are some of the vital tools that create positive outcomes. As a leader, staff empowerment through identification of strengths and the provision of growth opportunity is among some the leadership tools that I believe can create effective teams.
