They should accept accountability and responsibility for the decisions they make in their field and should protect the interests of patients by helping in the development of better healthcare policies at a local as well as national level. Additionally an advanced practice nurse should have enhanced cultural competency. It is essential for any healthcare provider to look past the cultural barrier and be able to treat any patient regardless of their cultural background. They should blend amongst them and their families and provide them with appropriate healthcare services. "Campinha-Bacote, (1996) defined cultural competence as 'a process, not an end point, in which the nurse continuously strives to achieve the ability to effectively work within the cultural context of an individual, family or community from a diverse cultural/ethnic background'" [Journal of Cultural Diversity]

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

An advanced practice nurse is supposed to diagnose a patient and recognize the underlying problem. They are then to provide adequate treatment which includes the prescription of medicines as well as administering anesthetics. [Charles I. Artz, Esq.]

Further their nature of practice further includes research work and the utilization of research within the scope of their practice. They are allowed to admit patients to hospitals and the authority to refer patients to other healthcare professionals like licensed physicians and dentists. Additionally an advanced practice nurse also gives consulting services to other healthcare providers. They have professional autonomy and independent practice which also includes management. Moreover they are to manage the physical and...

They are also required to make decisions in solving patient care problems as well as analyzing other sources of data and identifying alternate reasons to the nature of a healthcare problem.
Advanced practice nurses also provide gynecological and prenatal care and can deliver babies. Giving post-partum care is also included in the nature of practice.

In the United States, 16 states have given advanced practice nurses enough autonomy to practice without any assistance or supervision by the physician. Further at least 45 states have allowed advanced practice nurses to prescribe medications. [American Association of Colleges of Nursing]

REFERENCES:

(1) Board of Nurse Examiners, State of Texas - [http://www.bne.state.tx.us/position.htm#15.18] Accessed on 28/08/2005

(2) Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia -- [http://www.rnabc.bc.ca/pdf/399.pdf] Accessed on 28/08/2005

(3) Journal of Cultural Diversity -- [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0MJU/is_3_11/ai_n8585220] Accessed on 28/08/2005

(4) [Charles I. Artz, Esq. - The expansion of APRN scope of practice (Physician's News Digest) -- [http://www.physiciansnews.com/law/100artz.html] Accessed on 28/08/2005

(5) American Association of Colleges of Nursing - EXPANDED ROLES FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSES -- [http://www.aacn.nche.edu/Media/Backgrounders/apnursng.htm] Accessed on 28/08/2005