The journal document should be 3-4 pages in length. No citations are required, and no specific formatting is needed. Utilize appropriate grammar and mechanics of writing. Refer to the journal submission you completed earlier in the semester and reflect on the following: Topic: The use of pharmacology in advanced practice. 1. How has your knowledge of pharmacology changed? 2. Do you find yourself thinking about medication use in your current employment differently? Why or why not? 3. Explain how your appreciation of the advanced practice role changed or did not change? How do you envision using the knowledge from this course in your future advanced practice role? Earlier Journal Expectations of Course – Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics In contemporary healthcare practice, the evolution of advanced nursing roles like the Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) has been pivotal in meeting the increasingly complex needs of patients. Central to this evolution is the integration of advanced pharmacological knowledge into clinical practice. This journal explores the transformative impact of studying Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics on enhancing pharmacological expertise, refining prescribing practices, and emphasizing the critical role of standards of care in ensuring safe and effective medication management. Undertaking the study of Advanced Pharmacology and Pharmacotherapeutics promises to significantly augment my existing knowledge of pharmacology. This course offers a profound opportunity to explore the intricate mechanisms governing drug actions, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. I anticipate acquiring a more profound comprehension of drug interactions, adverse effects, and the rationale guiding drug selection in intricate clinical contexts. I am particularly eager to delve into advanced subjects such as pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine, domains that hold immense potential to enhance my professional practice in healthcare. These areas of study are pivotal as they provide insights into how genetic variations influence drug responses, thereby facilitating tailored treatment approaches that maximize therapeutic efficacy and minimize adverse outcomes. Embracing these advanced concepts will not only broaden my understanding but also equip me with the necessary expertise to make informed clinical decisions and optimize patient care outcomes in diverse healthcare settings. Transitioning from a Registered Nurse (RN) to an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) involves a significant shift in the application of pharmacological knowledge. In my role of APN, I foresee using pharmacology not only to evaluate and monitor patient responses but also to make informed decisions regarding medication prescriptions. According to Zhang and Patel (2021), prescriptive authority refers to healthcare providers capability to prescribe specific medications, including controlled substances. Nurse practitioner (NP) graduate programs were originally established in the 1960s to enhance public access to pediatric healthcare and alleviate a growing physician shortage (Zhang & Patel, 2021). NPs, unlike physician assistants (PAs), enjoy broader prescribing privileges in certain states and operate independently without mandatory physician supervision. However, some states restrict NPs from prescribing controlled substances. Unlike my previous role as an RN, where my primary duty was administering medications based on established protocols, assuming the role of an APN empowers me to autonomously prescribe medications following comprehensive patient assessments and evidence-based guidelines. This transition underscores the indispensable role of pharmacological proficiency in optimizing patient outcomes and delivering patient-centered care. In my advanced practice role, specifically, in my role of a prescriber, holistic care will be provided with a person-centered approach through the conduct and processing of safe and effective medication management. According to Pearson et al. (2020), nurse prescribing has changed dramatically throughout the past decade worldwide, specifically with growing numbers of nurses from several international environments attaining prescriptive authority. On the prescriber’s side, my goal would be to integrate pharmacological knowledge with other dimensions of clinical judgment in individualizing treatment plans that best match the needs and preferences of the patient. Blended responsibility also extends to not only prescribing medications but also education about one’s medication, monitoring responses to prescription treatments, and working collaboratively with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure the best health outcomes. By applying such an integrated approach, I will help spur advances in patient care and healing from treatment regimens for the betterment of health and well-being for those whom I serve. Standards of care contribute to prescriptive practice by providing guidelines on the safe and effective use of medication. In this respect, the standards will facilitate consistency in clinical practice, enhance patient safety, and reduce the potential likelihood of medication errors. These standards—evidenced by practices, legal frameworks, and articulated ethical responsibilities that outline the prescribing behaviors for healthcare professionals—are all-inclusive. Indeed, in the United States, for example, there are guidelines on prescribing opioids for the management of chronic pain published by the CDC, and emphasize that the prescription requires a history of patients together with follow-up visits. Similarly, the American Diabetes Association provides detailed protocols for the management of diabetes, including medication choices to be recommended and response monitoring required from patients. By adhering to these standards, prescribers maintain the highest possible quality of care for their patients and maximize treatment response while minimizing untoward effects. These standards provide a basis for maintaining excellence in this aspect of health care by ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate, effective treatments as safely and responsibly as possible. This course will be a critical opportunity for me to increase my knowledge base in pharmacology, define my role of an Advanced Practice Nurse, and identify the role of standards of care more clearly. Through the course, I will enlarge my knowledge base, thereby arming myself with advanced insights into drug actions, interactions, and personalized approaches to treatment. As I mature in my role of a prescriber, I will look to all that I have learned through the care of my patients for maximizing the outcomes and working effectively within the interdisciplinary healthcare teams. I will work toward medication therapy safety and effectiveness by upholding quality practices based on evidence and principles of ethics by following standards of care. References Pearson, M., Papps, E., & Walker, R. C. (2020). Experiences of registered nurse prescribers; a qualitative study. Contemporary Nurse, 56(4), 388-399. Zhang, P., & Patel, P. (2021). Practitioners and prescriptive authority. In: StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing, Treasure Island.
Last Completed Projects
| topic title | academic level | Writer | delivered |
|---|