Active Learning Activity Assignment Week 2
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Active Learning Activity Content
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As nurses, you have all learned the importance of clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and clinical judgment to make effective and safe patient care decisions in practice. As you move into your role of advanced practice nurse whether that is leadership and management or NP, how does this change? Does it?
This week read through some of the articles provided about how nurses and advanced practice nurses make decisions in practice.
**Is there a difference between the skills required by the bedside nurse and those needed by the APN? Support the discussion with rationale and readings.
**As you transition to your role as an APN what clinical decision-making skills do you feel are needed for nurses planning to be NPs? Nurse leaders?
**Support this with course readings and other academic literature. Are these different, if so why or why not?
**What standardized decision-making tool has been created to guide nurses at all levels to make practice decisions?
**Why was this created, and what is the purpose of the tool?
**How would this be used in your role as an APN; Be specific and describe how to apply this tool. Are there other standardized clinical decision-making tools to guide NPs/APNs to make decisions in practice? Should these be employed and/or are they employed in all care settings for NPs? Provide a rationale.
Explain your rationale. Describe the role of the Consensus Model for APRNs.
Please note the grading rubric. This assignment is to be submitted as an essay- with an introduction, questions developed at the graduate level, and a conclusion to summarize and synthesize key points. APA must be strictly followed- paper must include level headings throughout. The submission should be minimally 4 pages not counting the cover page and references.
### Title Page
**Title:**
Clinical Decision-Making Skills and Tools for Advanced Practice Nurses
**Student Name:**
[Your Name]
**Institution:**
[Your Institution]
**Date:**
[Date]
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### Introduction
Clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and clinical judgment are crucial skills that nurses develop and refine throughout their careers to ensure effective and safe patient care. As nurses transition from bedside roles to advanced practice roles such as Nurse Practitioners (NPs) or nurse leaders, the demands and complexities of clinical decision-making evolve. This paper examines the differences in skills required by bedside nurses and Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs), identifies essential clinical decision-making skills for NPs and nurse leaders, and discusses standardized decision-making tools that guide practice decisions across nursing roles. Furthermore, the role of the Consensus Model for APRNs in shaping clinical decision-making will be explored.
### Skills Required by Bedside Nurses vs. APNs
#### Differences in Skills
Bedside nurses primarily focus on direct patient care, requiring strong skills in patient assessment, basic clinical interventions, and acute problem-solving. Their decisions are often guided by protocols and direct patient needs. Conversely, APNs, including NPs and nurse leaders, engage in more complex clinical decision-making processes that involve advanced diagnostics, comprehensive care planning, and leadership in healthcare teams. APNs must integrate a broader scope of knowledge, including pathophysiology, pharmacology, and evidence-based practice, into their decision-making.
**Support from Literature:**
According to Benner et al. (2009), bedside nurses operate predominantly in the domains of novice to expert practice, where decision-making is more protocol-driven and immediate. APNs, however, function at higher levels of practice, requiring advanced critical thinking, autonomous decision-making, and leadership skills (Hamric et al., 2014).
### Clinical Decision-Making Skills for NPs and Nurse Leaders
#### NPs
For NPs, essential clinical decision-making skills include advanced diagnostic reasoning, patient-centered care planning, and evidence-based practice. NPs must be adept at synthesizing patient information, interpreting diagnostic tests, and developing comprehensive management plans.
**Support from Literature:**
As outlined by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF, 2017), NPs need to possess high levels of clinical expertise, diagnostic acumen, and the ability to apply research findings to clinical practice. These skills ensure that NPs provide high-quality, autonomous care.
#### Nurse Leaders
Nurse leaders require decision-making skills that encompass strategic planning, resource management, and team leadership. They must navigate complex organizational dynamics, make decisions that affect patient care and staff wellbeing, and implement quality improvement initiatives.
**Support from Literature:**
Effective nurse leaders demonstrate strong leadership and management skills, including conflict resolution, strategic decision-making, and the ability to lead interdisciplinary teams (Porter-O’Grady & Malloch, 2018).
### Standardized Decision-Making Tools
#### The Nursing Process
The Nursing Process is a standardized decision-making tool widely used in nursing practice. It includes assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE). This tool provides a structured approach to clinical decision-making, ensuring comprehensive and systematic patient care.
**Creation and Purpose:**
The Nursing Process was developed to standardize nursing care and ensure consistent, high-quality patient outcomes. It helps nurses at all levels make informed, evidence-based decisions.
#### Application in APN Roles
As an APN, the Nursing Process can be applied to ensure systematic patient assessment, accurate diagnosis, and effective care planning. For instance, an NP may use the Nursing Process to develop a personalized treatment plan for a patient with chronic illness, integrating patient preferences and evidence-based interventions.
**Other Standardized Tools:**
Other tools include clinical decision support systems (CDSS), which provide evidence-based recommendations during clinical decision-making, and the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) tailored to specific conditions and patient populations (Moja et al., 2014). These tools enhance decision-making by providing real-time, evidence-based guidance.
### The Consensus Model for APRNs
The Consensus Model for APRNs provides a framework for licensure, accreditation, certification, and education of APNs. It ensures consistency in the preparation and practice of APRNs across different states and specialties.
#### Impact on Clinical Decision-Making
The Consensus Model promotes a standardized approach to clinical decision-making, ensuring that APRNs are adequately prepared to meet the complex healthcare needs of diverse populations. It emphasizes the importance of advanced education and continuous professional development, supporting APNs in making informed, autonomous clinical decisions.
### Conclusion
The transition from bedside nursing to advanced practice nursing involves a significant shift in the complexity and scope of clinical decision-making. APNs require advanced diagnostic, critical thinking, and leadership skills to provide high-quality care. Standardized decision-making tools, such as the Nursing Process and clinical decision support systems, play a crucial role in guiding APNs in their practice. The Consensus Model for APRNs further supports this transition by providing a framework for consistent and comprehensive APN preparation. By understanding and applying these tools and models, APNs can enhance their clinical decision-making capabilities and improve patient outcomes.
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### References
Benner, P., Sutphen, M., Leonard, V., & Day, L. (2009). *Educating nurses: A call for radical transformation*. Jossey-Bass.
Hamric, A. B., Hanson, C. M., Tracy, M. F., & O’Grady, E. T. (2014). *Advanced practice nursing: An integrative approach* (5th ed.). Elsevier.
Moja, L., Liberati, A., Galuppo, L., Gorli, M., Maraldi, M., Nanni, O., & Rigon, G. (2014). Clinical decision support systems (CDSS) for preventive healthcare: A systematic review and meta-analysis. *BMC Health Services Research*, 14(1), 1-9.
National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF). (2017). *Nurse practitioner core competencies*. Retrieved from [NONPF website](https://www.nonpf.org/page/14).
Porter-O’Grady, T., & Malloch, K. (2018). *Quantum leadership: Creating sustainable value in health care* (5th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
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*Note: Ensure all citations and references follow the current APA format.*
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