Journal of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners
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J Am Assoc Nurse Pract · Jun 2018
Food and Drug Administration upscheduling of hydrocodone and the effects on nurse practitioner pain management practices.
In 2013, the Advisory Committee of the Food and Drug Administration determined hydrocodone combination medications (HCMs) needed tighter regulation due to high abuse potential; they recommended upscheduling HCMs from Schedule III to II. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of upscheduling of HCMs on pain management practices of advanced practiced registered nurses (APRNs) in Oklahoma. ⋯ Upscheduling of HCMs has had a severe impact on APRNs, affecting their prescribing practices and leading to increased referrals. They noted limited treatment options, increased health care costs, and decreased access to care. The APRNs understand the problem of prescription opioid abuse, diversion, and misuse. A consensus model could standardize the regulatory process for APRNs, increase interstate mobility for practice, and increase access to APRN care nationwide.
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J Am Assoc Nurse Pract · Mar 2018
American Association of Nurse Practitioners National Nurse Practitioner sample survey: Update on acute care nurse practitioner practice.
Data from national surveys on the practice of nurse practitioners (NPs) provides valuable information on aspects of practice, demographic characteristics of providers and patients, plans for continued employment, and role satisfaction. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) has been conducting the AANP Sample Survey since 1988. ⋯ The findings of the 2016 AANP National NP Sample Survey data related to ACNP practice identify expansion of work settings, practice consistent with acute care scope of practice, role satisfaction, and intent to continue working. Continued monitoring of practice components and employment is indicated to track ACNP workforce trends.
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J Am Assoc Nurse Pract · Jan 2018
Regulation of pediatric intensive care unit nurse practitioner practice: A national survey.
To describe the extent to which organizational regulation of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) nurse practitioner (NP) practice and prescriptive authority aligns with state scope-of-practice (SSOP) regulations, to examine differences between PICU medical directors' and NPs' report of regulation, and to describe organizational-level restriction of PICU NP practice. ⋯ As more states move to full SSOP regulatory environments, organizational regulation of NP practice can impede attainment of full practice authority. Future research is needed to determine whether variations in regulation of PICU NP practice influence patient outcomes, interdisciplinary collaboration, and NP role actualization.
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J Am Assoc Nurse Pract · Jan 2018
Filling the gaps: Preparing nurse practitioners for hospitalist practice.
Over the last 20 years, the emergence of the hospitalist has changed the face of medicine. Hospitalists may serve as either general or specialty-focused providers caring for acutely ill patients in the hospital setting. ⋯ A hospitalist-focused educational model has been developed to better prepare NP students for a variety of hospitalist roles after graduation. A hospitalist focused masters-level curriculum is discussed, as well as opportunities for advanced hospitalist education with post-graduate opportunities.
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J Am Assoc Nurse Pract · Dec 2017
Cultural hair practices, physical activity, and obesity among urban African-American girls.
Hair holds cultural meaning and value for women of African descent. The values placed on hair type and hair style date back to preslavery days. There is a small body of literature that addresses the relationship between cultural hair practices and physical inactivity among black women. Understanding this is important because inactivity during childhood and adolescent years contributes to increased weight-related morbidity and mortality during adult years. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between cultural hair practices, physical activity, and obesity among urban African-American adolescent girls. ⋯ Inactivity during adolescence can result in obesity, a major cause of chronic health conditions that contribute to morbidity and mortality as an adult. When nurse practitioners understand and appreciate the cultural differences and beliefs around cultural hair practices they will be able to develop culturally appropriate strategies that will aid in weight loss.