Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Role

¶ … nursing profession has been a vital part and backbone of health care all over the world. Its methods and practiced discipline focuses on the assistance being rendered to an individual or a group, a family and a community with its primary concern on the attainment and re-attainment of optimal health and functioning*. Nursing being defined in modern times as;

A science and an art that focuses on quality of life as defined by persons and families. Nursing is not only concerned about health and functioning but with quality of living and dying, lived experience, and universal lived experiences of health

From the time of Florence Nightingale to the early 20th century, the role of the typical nurse has evolved in a criterion of responsibilities. Nightingale' commitment have regained tremendous impact to this profession that up to the entry of the new millennium world recognition have been given to thousands of nurses working in different fields of expertise. It is no wonder that Nursing has been one of the most sought after profession in any country.

History of the PNP Role and the Current Status of the PNP Role

It was 1965 in the University of Colorado when a pediatrician, Dr. Henry Silver collaborated with Dr. Lorreta Ford, a public health nurse to established norms that would eventually be the first Pediatric Nurse Practitioners Program. The development of the PNP program in CU was brought about by the shortage of physicians to carry over task in primary care of pediatric patients. This then opened a window of opportunity to nurses to demonstrate and exhibit their advanced knowledge and experience in this field of healthcare. The background of Dr. Lorreta Ford as a public health nurse served and provided a stable basis on the development of the PNP role together with the expertise of Dr. Henry Silver. This development primarily focuses on expansion and the empowerment of the role of registered nurses in conveying health care.

The establishment of the PNP role has now reached its 40th year with the pioneering founder Dr. L Ford is still actively supporting the program.

"Nurse practitioners have become embedded in every aspect of health care," said Dr. Ford. "In a great sense, nurse practitioners have transformed the profession of nursing."

The PNP role is to promote wellness and giving higher emphasis on health care and maintenance, the prevention of diseases, counseling and patient education. These duties cover not only a part but the wide array of responsibilities of a nursing practitioner.

For 40 years, NPs have been competent, cost-effective health care providers, serving wherever they are needed, from rural areas and prisons, to schools, homes and overseas missions.

Educational Requirements for the role- A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse that must have advance clinical education and academic knowledge in pediatric health care, child development and family dynamics. Enrollees of the program must have a BS degree in Nursing. Their primary task is to collaborate with health professionals and physicians.

s noted by Dr. L Ford:

"extensive knowledge base not only about basic cognitive levels and developmental milestones but you also have to know what equipment is appropriate to use for children of different ages and sizes."

Practice Patterns- NPs practice are being conducted in several areas of needs, where their skills and knowledge are much needed. As mentioned in the article, PNPs presence are now in far flung rural areas, prisons and correctionals, schools and other institutions. Their expertise is not anymore bounded in the field of maternal and childcare.

Such that the basic practice of PNP had some resistances initially with medical associations, doctors and nursing organization, it managed to push through with the program.

Research Findings- According to a recent article on the 40th Anniversary of PNP studies shows that the practice of the pediatric nursing practitioners are well accepted by patients and physicians alike. This attributes to the credibility of all nurses who qualified in the training being conducted to for the PNP program.

Practice related Proposal for the PNP Role- The PNPs basic role is centered on pediatric care. The suggested proposal with these regards is the undertaking and care of children in the custody of the local social service unit. This proposal will serve as a practice ground for new PNPs who passed the program.

Issues pertaining to the health care of children within local social service units will then be partially resolved thus making good use of the acquired knowledge of new PNPs. Local officials and medical practitioners will surely agree on such term of practice.