Discussion: The nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient
outcomes
Discussion: The nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient outcomes ON
Discussion: The nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient outcomesFrom a young
age, I have always wanted to have a career where I would help others. I pursued a Biology
and Psychology degree, and in my later years, I decided to change this to the nursing field. It
was one of the best decisions I have made in my life as it has opened many doors for me; I
have experience working with behavioral health/mental illness and in critical care. These
two areas have shown me how important the nursing role is in individual and family
members’ health. The nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient outcomes, and as a
nurse, we have the capabilities of providing care that no one else can.Knowing I have found
my passion in life somewhat alarms me, I have been so used to searching for something I’ve
always wanted, that now that I have it, I do not know how to process this. Nursing is so
diverse – there are many doors open to making a decision as to which field to go into once
nursing has been completed. With my experience in behavioral health, administration,
billing/utilization review, and critical care, I made a decision of pursuing the AGACNP route.
This decision is something I made after quite some time and after gaining experience while
in critical care situations. I admire the staff members I have worked with, and they have
been the main inspiration behind pursuing the AGACNP program. Some challenges I am
slightly worried of are whether or not I will be completely burnt out by this career choice,
the schedule and the ability to balance home life, and the online education translating to
care on real humans.Working under high-stress environments, such as the ICU or ED, can
cause burnout. This term refers to exhaustion, cynicism, and long-term job stress. In such
environments, it is understandable why this burnout could occur. Not only is it unsafe for
the individual experiencing burnout, but for the patient as well: “Among nurses, higher
levels of burnout are associated with higher rates of both patient mortality and
dissemination of hospital-transmitted infections” (Reith, 2018). Just as burnout is a
possibility in any field, it is especially more common among healthcare workers. With this in
mind, this goes into the further subject of balancing work with home. Discussion: The
nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient outcomes“Although the practice of
medicine can be meaningful and personally fulfilling, it is demanding and stressful too.”
Hospitals are known to have a high stress environment for their employees; this is a major
factor that could potentially decrease the quality of life for individuals (Kumar, Bhat, &

Ryali, 2018). Mental awareness to the possibility of such burnout or problems is part of
overcoming these challenges. When I have children, I know that I will need to leave work at
work and always keep a balance between home life and work. Though I do not have
children now, I have found working three days throughout the week allows more time at
home with family. The flexibility of how to make a schedule is another factor that can help
in deciding which field to go to.The last challenge I am concerned for is online education
translating to care on actual patients. Though my nursing school focused on using
mannequins as test objects, field experience was the key to perfecting these skills, such as
inserting an IV. As an AGACNP, there will be greater responsibility towards patient care; the
goal is aimed at keeping a patient alive and nurturing him/her back to health. Under these
stressful conditions, how will what I learned through an online module translate to in
person critical care moments? As my anxiety with this concept is high, I have done lots of
research to see the advantages and disadvantages towards this learning approach. Though I
thought this was a challenge at first, I reflected back at my nursing journey; I also completed
online modules in which I learned to do many tasks; once learned, this made it much easier
to do at clinical. This is the same approach needed in order to be successful at Walden.
Online education has many advantages, such as providing flexible schedules, providing
education in rural areas, and this learning style has proven to have similar outcomes as in-
person education (Lawn, Zhi, & Morello, 2017). Though I find some challenges with online
education, I know this is not a hurdle that I am unable to pass. I will use those challenges
and will push forward even more when completing my clinicals.Further of any doubts will
be provided through joining any nursing networks, such as the American Association of
Nurse Practitioners (AANP). This organization is for all Nurse Practitioners; however, it can
provide major insight towards the nursing field and how practitioners are advancing into
different fields. For example, the ACNP is a fairly new role that is allowing to meet many
gaps in acute care settings. This additional can be started by registering on the AANP
website; after registering, the membership provides up to date information on current
events and how to participate in continuing education (Hoffman, & Guttendorf, 2017).
Discussion: The nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient
outcomesReferencesHoffman, L. A., & Guttendorf, J. (2017). Preparation and Evolving Role
of the Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. Chest, 152(6), 1339–
1345. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chest.2017.08.007Kumar, A., Bhat, P. S., & Ryali, S. (2018).
Study of quality of life among health workers and psychosocial factors influencing
it. Industrial psychiatry journal, 27(1), 96–102. https://doi.org/10.4103/ipj.ipj_41_18Lawn,
S., Zhi, X., & Morello, A. (2017). An integrative review of e-learning in the delivery of self-
management training for health professionals. BMC medical education, 17(1),
183. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-017-1022-0Reith T. P. (2018). Burnout in United
States Healthcare Professionals: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 10(12),
e3681. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.3681*****Student #2I have always known that I
wanted to be a nurse and work in the healthcare field, however, I never realized how many
paths that I could choose from until I joined the profession. I chose the FNP path for nursing,
but it was not the easiest choice for me as I work in the Cardiac ICU now and ACNP was
something I seriously considered as well.I love the adrenaline of the ICU and the knowledge

I gain daily and admire all the ACNP I see in the setting. I have worked in a clinic as a CNA
previously and loved that environment, while I enjoy the ICU setting and working with just
adults, my heart has always been set on helping children as well especially after so many
amazing NP helped my son. “Although the practice of medicine can be meaningful and
personally fulfilling, it is demanding and stressful too. Hospitals are characterized by a high
level of work-related stress, a factor known to increase the risk of low quality of life” (Study
of Quality of Life Among Health Workers and Psychosocial Factors Influencing It, 2018).
While I enjoy working in the hospital, burnout is a reality as well as the need to care for my
own family at home.“FNPs practice in a variety of health care settings, including community
health centers, private practice, health care systems and universities.” (Are You Considering
a Career as a Family Nurse Practitioner?, n.d.). There are so many options with the FNP for
settings in order to practice, and it will allow me flexibility and allow me to have a better
schedule for my family while still enjoying my job.I have been concerned about online
learning, and will I really learn all I need to in order to care for the patients who need me
the most. While it may be learning on our own and with our own motivation I will have the
field experience and clinicals to teach me along with the preceptors, and once I graduate
many are willing to help new practitioners and in a family practice setting you have other
more experienced providers there for help.Joining an organization related to my specialty is
something I will do as well, staying involved is important. American Academy of Nurse
Practitioners (AANP) is a great organization to become a part of. It connects you with other
providers and provides resources for continuing education as well.(American Academy of
Nurse Practicioners, n.d.). Often you have access to information regarding practice and the
most up to date studies, as well as conferences to be able to attend to better your
practice.ReferencesAmerican Academy of Nurse Practicioners. (n.d.).
AANP. https://www.aanp.org/Are You Considering a Career as a Family Nurse
Practitioner?. (n.d.). AANP. https://www.aanp.org/news-feed/are-you-considering-a-
career-as-a-family-nurse-practitionerReith T. P. (2018). Burnout in United States
Healthcare Professionals: A Narrative Review. Cureus, 10(12),
e3681. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.3681Study of quality of life among health workers
and psychosocial factors influencing it. (2018). Industrial Psychiatry
Journal. http://www.industrialpsychiatry.org/article.asp?issn=0972-
6748;year=2018;volume=27;issue=1;spage=96;epage=102;aulast=KumarDiscussion: The
nursing role holds high responsibilities in patient outcomes