Read on Twitter
THE NURSING PRACTIONER PROGRAM (NP)
The NP is an advanced practicing nurse who has got a specialised Nursing Training at a minimum level of master's degree. Their role is to bridge the gap in Patients'care.
The NP is an advanced practicing nurse who has got a specialised Nursing Training at a minimum level of master's degree. Their role is to bridge the gap in Patients'care.
The concept of the NP was initiated in 1965 in the USA
based on a public health model to provide primary healthcare (PHC) to children lacking access to healthcare services. The role was based on a person-centred, holistic
approach to care with the addition of diagnostic,
based on a public health model to provide primary healthcare (PHC) to children lacking access to healthcare services. The role was based on a person-centred, holistic
approach to care with the addition of diagnostic,
treatment and management responsibilities previously limited
to physicians. However, it was distinct from the medical
model in that it focused also on prevention, health and
wellness, and patient education.
to physicians. However, it was distinct from the medical
model in that it focused also on prevention, health and
wellness, and patient education.
In mid-1970s, Canada & Jamaica followed the USA’s
development,aiming to improve access to PHC for vulnerable populations. In the 1980s in Botswana,as the country
responded to healthcare reform & population needs of the country spiraled,Nurse Practitioner role
was launched.
development,aiming to improve access to PHC for vulnerable populations. In the 1980s in Botswana,as the country
responded to healthcare reform & population needs of the country spiraled,Nurse Practitioner role
was launched.
This was followed by introduction of the NP in the four countries of the UK in the late 1980s. In the
1990s and early 2000s, additional countries introduced
NPs with ICN and the international healthcare community noting significant increased interest & development worldwide.
1990s and early 2000s, additional countries introduced
NPs with ICN and the international healthcare community noting significant increased interest & development worldwide.
RESPONSIBILITIES
• Authority to diagnose
• Authority to prescribe medications
• Authority to order diagnostic testing and therapeutic
treatments
• Authority to refer clients/patients to other services
and/or professionals
• Authority to admit and discharge Patients.
• Authority to diagnose
• Authority to prescribe medications
• Authority to order diagnostic testing and therapeutic
treatments
• Authority to refer clients/patients to other services
and/or professionals
• Authority to admit and discharge Patients.
Nurse Practitioner can specialize in Pediatrics, Adult Health, Family, Neonatal, Oncology, Women & Mental Health. Other sub-specialty areas for NPs include Sports Medicine,Allergy & Immunology, Dermatology,Orthopedics, Endocrinology,Gastroenterology and Emergency (AANP, 2020).
This concept in Nigeria is long overdue. The absence of Physicians in primary care and the increasing number of patients with different health needs already impose compelling circumstances on Nurses and Midwives to perform advanced duties (Chimezie et al., 2019).
I have seen Nurse practitioners work autonomously and run their private practice smoothly. I have seen Nurse practitioners and Physicians work collaboratively yielding to better patient outcomes so I believe Nigeria needs these individuals to help bridge the gap.
