21st Century Changes in the Nurse Practitioners Role

Many nurses put in 12-14 hour shifts, while a great deal of others work night shifts. Although these types of schedules are expected as a requirement of their job, many nurses expose themselves to different types of health risks that often are associated with prolonged work hours and disruptions to a normal circadian rhythm. To avoid health issues, it is critical to understand the nature of the problem and provide nurses and other workers with ways to reduce risks and manage late-shift schedules. This academic resource highlights health and wellbeing risks associated with 12-hour nursing schedules while providing tips and tricks to help hospital staff balance their circadian rhythm and reduce fatigue. This aims to create awareness around health problems and workplace errors that arise from lack of sleep and work-life balance, while providing materials that help create a better quality work environment for nursing staff.   With night shifts remaining popular among hospital staff, there is no sign of these lengthy shifts slowing down. It is important for nurses to take the necessary steps and health precautions for their own wellbeing so they can better take care of their patients.  To learn more, check out this infographic designed by Bradley University’s online Doctor of Nursing Practice program.

Nurse practitioners provide Americans with important services in healthcare. Unfortunately, NPs face many barriers restricting them from full practice authority. Also known as autonomous practice, full practice authority includes the practice and licensure laws allowing nurse practitioners to practice to the full extent of their education in a healthcare system with a growing primary care shortage. As the push for nurse practitioners to work autonomously continues, federal and state legislation is being passed to grand nurses full practice authority. The benefits from removing full practice barriers in nursing allows access to care to improve for the people who need it most. It allows efficient delivery of care, reduces costs and ensures patient satisfactions and quality of care. NPs are valuable assets to the healthcare industry in the United States. Giving full practice authority allows for nurses to use all their abilities to help those in need. To learn more, checkout the infographic below created by Duquesne University’s Online Doctor of Nursing Practice degree program.