During this course, I am hopeful to gain knowledge of caring for primary care patients, how to document better, and grow as a provider in knowledge and caring. I am a fast learner and like to learn from the book as well as hands on. I have been a nurse for 11 years now, though the last 5 have been as a case manager for worker’s compensation so I have not been very hands on with my patients. I think this sets me back some with a little less confidence in the things I used to do daily, however it has given me much more experience in the doctor’s office setting where I will be doing clinical hours now. I reviewed the list of procedures in the PRAC course and was slightly intimidated at the amount of procedures I am new to, though that is the purpose of our classes and clinical hours, to be able to learn. I am confident that I will be able to get through them and become more at ease.

My career goal is to have my own primary care practice. I am in Delaware where it is not required to have a contract with a physician at all, so I have the ability to do this. There is a significant shortage of primary care providers in my area, this would help the people here have better access to primary care. FNPs are able to fill in the holes caused by a lack of providers, I may not be a physician, but I will be able to provide excellent care to my patients, education in their health, and a better outlook on their health. Not to mention the fact that I would be able to have my own business and provide for myself and my family in a way that I see best fit (How to open your own clinic as a Nurse Practitioner, 2022).

A goal that I have is to be better able to put my knowledge of preventive care into helping my patients get or stay healthy or at least giving them the best access to care and education that we can so that they can make the best decision for themselves in treatment. Providing knowledge and preventive care testing and treatment would help people make better diet, exercise, and treatment choices which would help decrease the incidence of developing chronic illness as well as help those with chronic illness prevent hospitalizations or need for acute treatment (Buttaro et al., 2021).

Another goal is to learn more on proper documentation as well as billing and coding. There are risk factors in relation to both and importance to out patients. Ensuring that we properly describe in detail the key factors of a visit are vital in ensuring there is a picture of what the patient is experiencing so it is recorded for others who need to know the information, including other providers, specialists, and the insurance providers to be able to better treat the patient themselves or approve necessary further treatment or referrals. Ensuring we are giving accurate information while covering all the bases and risk factors is very important to each of these groups and factors (Eramo, 2019).

I am eager to begin my final courses and grow more as a professional so that I may be able to provide my future patients with the best care possible.

References

Buttaro, T. M., Trybulski, J., Polgar Bailey, P., & Sandberg-Cook, J. (2021). Primary care: Interprofessional collaborative practice (6th ed.). Elsevier.

Eramo, L. (2019). Level of care coding tips to boost revenue, mitigate riskLinks to an external site.. Medical Economics, 96(10), 17–20

How to open your own clinic as a nurse practitioner. (2022, September 6). https://onlinenursing.cn.edu/news/how-open-your-own-clinic-nurse-practitioner

CAREER GOALS: STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES RELATED TO NURSING PRACTICE COMPETENCIES

An advanced practice nurse collaborates and communicates with patients, families, doctors, nurses, and specialists to ensure patients receive the care they need. As they diagnose, treat, manage, and educate patients, they are responsible for ensuring patient safety and maintaining ethical behavior. Competencies have been developed to help the advanced practice nurse to understand the practice knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to be successful.

For this Discussion, you will examine advanced nursing practice competencies and reflect on your strengths and challenges related to the competencies. In light of your reflection, you will consider how this course may help you attain your career goals or objectives.

TO PREPARE:

• Review the Learning Resources for this week, specifically the advanced nursing practice competencies. As you review the competencies, reflect on your own strengths and challenges when working with adults across the lifespan.

BY DAY 3

Post a summary of your expectations of this course. Also, include a brief explanation of your strengths and challenges as they relate to nursing practice competencies when working with adults. Describe any career goals or objectives this course may help you accomplish in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) or Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) role and explain why. Use your research to support your explanations by providing credible and scholarly sources.  Provide at least 3 credible and current scholarly sources. Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses.

BY DAY 6

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days by offering a suggestion or resources to help your colleagues in addressing their personal strengths or challenges, or their career goals. Use your research to support your suggestions.