Respond one of your colleagues’ posts by offering a possible resolution to their  questions/concerns with supporting documentation.

at least 2 references in each peer responses! 

Nursing boards were created to establish guidelines for the scope of nursing practice. Each state has established its own board; thus regulations can vary by state. Advanced practice registered nurses must be familiar with their own state board’s regulations as it pertains to their practice, and advocate for the expansion of the nurse practitioner’s ability to practice and provide best care. 

Regulation 1

A main topic of conversation among nursing boards is the ability of advanced practice registered nurses (APRN’s) to practice independently of a collaborating physician. As discussed by Bosse et al., (2017), the ability of APRN’s to practice independently would help fill the gap in access to care associated with physician shortages and remote locations. Greater access to care has the potential to improve outcomes and reduce healthcare costs and complications. Currently, Missouri and Illinois both require APRN’s to maintain a collaborative practice agreement with a physician within a certain geographic range (Nurse Practice Act, 2018; Nursing & Collaborative Practice, 1996). The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) encourages APRN’s to advocate for independent practice in their states (Bosse et al., 2017). 

Regulation 2 

As technology plays an increasingly central role in the provision of healthcare, the use of technology must be addressed by regulatory boards. Telehealth is another solution to improving access to healthcare, especially in rural areas. Missouri permits APRN’s to practice virtually if the care is being provided to patients in remote areas (Utilization of telehealth, 2014). Illinois permits APRN’s to treat residents of the state via telehealth without geographical stipulations (Telehealth Act, 2018). 

Conclusion

As nurse practitioners, we can adhere to these regulations while also advocating for the advancement of the advanced practice registered nurse’s role in healthcare. Another opportunity for advocacy lies in the use of telehealth to improve access to care in rural areas. By providing exceptional care and demonstrating the knowledge and skills needed to practice independently, we can emulate the need to expand the scope of practice for nurse practitioners.  

"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"

The cross posts provide new or supplemental information to the original posting or raise additional areas for discussion. New or additional peer reviewed references should be cited in both cross posts.

Discussion cross posts should elaborate upon the ideas of others or content found in the readings/keynotes by adding details, examples, a different viewpoint, or other relevant information. The cross posts should provide original insights or responses which integrates multiple views. (Just saying ditto, I agree, or restating the original post is not considered elaboration.) There should be evaluation and feedback which assesses the accuracy, reasonableness, or quality of idea, and provides constructive feedback to classmates.

Be sure to use at least one reference. APA formatting, References should be timely, published within the previous 5 years.

Listed below is the discussion post you must respond to in 250-350 words max:

Background

The topic chosen that is related to nursing informatics is the role of the electronic health records on quality and safety in providing patient care. The Electronic Health Records (EHR) is an electrically version that is used to store the medical history (progress, problems, and medication among others) of the patient and it is being maintained by the provider at the given time (Cowie, 2017). Previously in the year 1950s, all the medical accounts in the hospitals were being kept together with papers in a filling system which was manual. By the middle of the 1960s, Lockheed come up with an electronic program by the name clinical information system that was used to store the medical records electronically. From his invention, the engineering and the technology firms started to develop the electronic medical records systems that were being used both by the universities and the hospitals. In 1970s, the government started to use the EHR as more of the medical facilities started to use it and is still being use up to date (Goldstein, 2017).  

Significance

This system plays an important role in the production of the documentations and exchanging information in the different disciplinary which are found under the patient care (Cowie, 2017). Besides, it also plays an important role in providing the opportunity for educating, teaching and learning under the medical environment. The EHR allows for medical facilities to have a decrease in the amount of paper work dealt with, and the amount of storage spaced required is decreasing. Also, it plays a major role in managing the results and the decision making as the quality of the patients care is highly improved. The nurses has the ability to review lab work with the click of a button. This enhances the quality of the medical records as the man-made errors from the manual system have been dealt away with. 

Challenges and benefits in healthcare

The information within the medical records of the patient is very safe and secure. This is because it is not easily accessed by unauthorized person hence security. Also, it is very hard to lose such data as compared to the manual system where the information could easily be misplaced. Despite the benefits of EHRs, these systems are faced with many challenges. Among the challenges we have the security and privacy issues as all the computers are networked currently have, which makes them vulnerable to hacking of a patient’s data. This is dangerous as the information of the patient might land to the hands of the wrong person (Goldstein, 2017). Another challenge is that some people using the system might be stuck in their ways making it impossible for the system to be accessed with efficiency. This is challenging as much time and resources have to be taken to train them on how to use the system. Another challenge comes on the side of the power disruption where all the activities will have to be stopped until a backup for power is available. 

^^PLEASE REMEMBER THAT THIS WILL BE A RESPONSE TO THE DISCUSSION ABOVE^^

"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"

Peer 1 

Nurses influence through engaging in activism act as a drive to health care policy changes enhancing improvement of the quality of care by increasing accessibility of the necessary resources as well as opportunities. Political activism skills are considered essential for the nurses as it enables them to protect the nursing profession as well as their practice (Buck-McFadyen & MacDonnell, 2017). Nurses can serve in elected positions within the state or the national levels to present the broad healthcare aspects of concern and ensure they are integrated within the healthcare policies.  

          Unionization of nurses is considered to be pertinent as the union offers the nurses the strength and power to bargain on the enforceable contracts such as the acceptable ratio of nurse to patient, their specific roles in maintaining quality of care as well as nurses overtime working hours and pay scale. Besides, joining nursing union provides an opportunity for the nurses to engage in political activism by lobbying private bodies and the government to advocate for policy changes that enhance improved patient care as well as participating in campaigns to create awareness on the importance of nurses thereby improving patient outcome (Ulrich & Kear, 2014). Nursing unions incorporate strategies that not only increase the nurse’s voice in advocating for improved care practices but also encourages nurses’ effective involvement in patient care through making informed decisions thereby creating a workforce culture of safety. One of the Masters of Science in nursing essential is the ability of the nurses to positively influence health policy and advocacy. The masters nursing program ensures that the nurses can effectively integrate nursing concepts at the system level to not only participate in the policy development process but also utilize advocacy strategies to impact change in health care policies.   

Vivianka  

Peer 2 

Unionized nurses refer to nurses who belong in labor organizations that are meant to protect the nurses’ welfare and advocate for the improvement of the healthcare system. Nurses should be provided with the opportunity to join work environment unions at will. Work environment unions range from large national unions to smaller organizations created to address specific issues in specific healthcare facilities (Dube, Kaplan, & Thompson, 2014). 

Nurses’ organizations come with the benefits of coming together to address matters relating to healthcare and welfare of nurses such as proper wages, job security, benefits, staffing ratios, and patient rights (Dube, Kaplan, & Thompson, 2014). Nurses account for a significant proportion of any health facility’s budget, which makes them an easy target especially during the economic restructuring. Large budget for nurses often creates workforce shortages and unconventional staffing ratios. Unions can also advocate for motivational benefits such as medical and dental insurance, educational leave, sick pay and vacation. We can, therefore, argue that unions are an essential tool in enhancing the safety of nurses through negotiating for better wages, worker protection benefits, against unfair laying offs and terminations and proper amount of workload for the nurses (Higgins, 2016).  

Similar to the nurses’ welfare, unions can be instrumental in advocating for a proper health system that enhances patient care (Giovanetto, 2017).  Advocating for proper staffing ratios, for example, advances the interest of patients. Proper staffing ratio is key improving patient outcome because nurses can make proper follow up on patients even after discharge. Benefits such as educational leave also facilitate lifelong learning which is key in strengthening the skills possessed by nurses and hence the quality of healthcare and safety of patients. Nurses’ unions can also engage in advocacy relating patient safety by seeking change in management practices that relate to health care equipment, patient diet, hygiene, and patient rights such as privacy and informed consent (Higgins, 2016).  In conclusion, unions provide nurses with enhanced strength in numbers that can be used to advocate for nurses and patient safety. 

Response must be minimum 150 words each, doble space, APA(6th) no more than 5 years. 

Bellow is the original activity if you needed: 

As an advanced practice nurse, one can engage in activism in order to achieve desired policy change at various levels including their own organization. Examine the following questions, should nurses be unionized and how does being unionized impact a workforce culture of safety? Be sure to include one MSN Essential in your discussion that relates to this topic. 

"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"

 Please, respond to the following discussion by using one reference from a peer-reviewed Nursing Journal not older than 5 years not from internet but from database.

Discussion 2

Charla Clervil

                                                         NUR4667

Problem/Issues related to health

There are a lot health related issues with population all over the world but the one we will talk about the American Indians health issues. There is a cultural barrier, geographic isolation, low income. Some of the diseases that causes death are heart disease, cancer, injuries, diabetes and stroke.

            A little history about the American Indians, a long history of underfunding of the Indian Health service has led to significant challenges (Warne & Bane Frizzell,2014). According to the journal American Indian and Alaska Native tribes have had a unique history with the united states, that is mixed with conflict, warfare, cooperation and partnership. They have a life expectancy that is 5 years less than the average Americans. Due to them having low funds it is hard to get all the care or the best care. Research shows that we need to identify dimensions of American Indians community capacity in relation to the funding application process. We need to look at the need of the community, networks, resources and community leadership (Pedersen & Brown, B. 2016).  By doing so we could improve health priorities by focusing on them. Education, raising awareness and understanding about the diseases, the resources to get help. They will benefit a lot in community teaching. Teaching how prevent diseases and live a healthy life. (Blais, 2016)

            In conclusion, American Indians have many barriers stopping them from improving their healthcare. The culture, funding not counting predispose genetics to certain disease and eating lifestyle. In effort to help improve nurses and researchers and scientist should play their part in community teaching, studies on where to find resources to get funding and help.

"Looking for a Similar Assignment? Get Expert Help at an Amazing Discount!"