Advanced Nurse Practitioner E Portfolio

For an advanced practice nurse like myself, the relevance of establishing a system and culture that guarantees the effective and safe delivery of care cannot be overstated. In addition to developing the relevant expertise and knowhow in practice, we ought to be resourceful so as to, amongst other things, work effectively in a cross-sectional setup and expedite team processes. It should be noted that in addition to our primary role of caring for patients, we should equally be active in the further development of our careers so as to facilitate not only our growth and development, but also that of our peers. This is more so the case given that skill, knowledge, and experience are some of the key elements of advanced practice, which is also founded on the ability to make sound decisions, solve problems, and critically analyze issues so as to achieve optimal outcomes in patient care. As an advanced practice nurse, I intend to continue playing an active role towards the further evolvement of evidence/knowledge based practice. I also have a personal goal of further developing my theoretical knowledge and skills so as to enhance my clinical decision-making capabilities, especially as I manage various service facets.
Advanced Practice Nurse Practitioner Philosophy
I believe in the adoption of holistic approach to care in which case the goal is to heal not only the body, but the entire person. Towards that end, my credo is founded on the need to ensure that; all the concerns of the patient are heard and addressed, patients are sensitized on the techniques to adopt to promote their health and further enhance their quality of life, and steps are taken to further enhance the collaboration between the relevant stakeholders so as to ensure that the various treatment goals are met and positive outcomes promoted.
While aware of my role towards the formulation and presentation of methods and approaches necessary for the patient to regain and retain health, I am also a firm believer in autonomy, whereby I am of the opinion that patients ought to have a say in the treatment, approaches, and follow-up mechanisms. Therefore, my greatest desire is to serve as a guide and not as an enforcer by allowing patients a certain level of control, authority, or sway over some healthcare decisions.
I also recognize the need for the advancement of nursing practice as a whole. I intend to contribute towards this by, amongst other things, actively seeking professional and career development opportunities and encouraging my peers to also embrace professional growth and development. Still, in seeking to advance nursing practice, I will be an agent of change at my place of work by influencing better policies and standards of care.
While my philosophy may evolve over time, my commitment to best practice and optimization of positive outcomes for patients remains steadfast. The higher I climb in the nursing ladder, the greater my passion towards the promotion of health grows. My professional as well as ethical commitments and obligations mirror the American Nurses Association Code of Ethics. In seeking to align my ethical and professional commitments to ANA code of ethics, I intend to stay true to the Code of Ethics aim and purpose of entrenching professional core values.
Professional Organizations
I am actively involved in at least three professional organizations, including;
1. American Nurses Association
2. New York State Nurse Association
3. Institute of Functional Medicine

American Nurses Association
Currently, ANA’s membership comprises of 3.6 million RNs. In essence, this key nursing association “advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting a safe and ethical work environment, bolstering the health and wellbeing of nurses, and advocating on health care issues that affect nurses and the public” (Nursing World, 2017). It is clear from the roles and functions of ANA that its relevance cannot be overstated when it comes to the further enhancement of the health care quality across the nation. I am a content member of ANA on the basis of its advocacy credentials and the fact that being a member, I contribute towards the formulation of policy at not only the state, but also at the federal level.
New York State Nurse Association
Being a professional association for RNs in New York, NYSNA’s membership comprises of 40,000 nurses – which effectively makes it the state’s largest RN professional association (NYSNA, 2017). The association brings together frontline nurses in an attempt to inspire togetherness for “strength at work, our practice, safe staffing, and healthcare for all” (NYSNA, 2017). One of the key benefits of being a member of NYSNA is its unique and well-thought Benefits Fund and Pension Plan. Members are, therefore, likely to benefit from better and stronger healthcare as well as retirement benefits.
Institute of Functional Medicine
Being an authority in Functional Medicine across the world, the Institute of Functional Medicine (IFM) works “to advance the highest expression of individual health by advocating Functional Medicine as the standard of care” (IFM, 2017). In basic terms, functional medicine looks into the latent basis of illnesses and brings together the health care professional and the patient in a partnership of a therapeutic nature. One of the benefits of being a member has got to do with staying “up-to-date on the latest scientific advancements in functional medicine and continue developing skills and competencies to treat patients with complex, chronic diseases” (IFM, 2017).






































References
American Nurses Association – ANA. (2017). ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses. Retrieved from http://nursing.rutgers.edu/civility/ANA-Code-of-Ethics-for-Nurses.pdf
Institute of Functional Medicine – IFM. (2017). About Us: Advancing the Highest Expression of Health. Retrieved from https://www.ifm.org/about/
New York State Nurse Association – NYSNA. (2017). About NYSNA. Retrieved from https://www.nysna.org/strength-at-work/about-nysna#.WhdcaFWWbIU