Running head: APN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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APN Professional Development
Jessica L. Frith
Chamberlain School of Nursing
Leadership and the Role of the Advanced Practice Nurse NR 510
APN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the role of the advanced practice nurse
(APN). A closer look will be taken into the APN scope of practice; the requirements for
education, licensure, regulation and practice environments in the state of Illinois. A
reflection of oneself highlighting strengths and weaknesses as well as goals and
objectives will be conducted as well. There are requirements to becoming a well rounded
APN, knowing what can be done, what needs to be done and what we as a profession are
aspiring to is a necessity.
APN Scope of Practice
The education requirements for the state of Illinois for a prospective advanced
practice nurse must earn a graduate degree or post-master certificate. The individual must
complete a program that offers preparation for advanced practice certification. RN
licensure, graduate degree, and national certification, which are regulated by the state
Board of Nursing, are necessary.
The core curriculum for all APN roles includes health
assessment, pathophysiology, advanced pharmacology, health promotion, disease
prevention, and population based care (Hinch, Murphy, & Lauer, 2005)
To obtain proper licensure in the state of Illinois the Illinois Department of
Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) requires that you earn your national
certification prior to being issued APN licensure. Each general area of specialty category
allows for certification from one or more national certification organization (“Steps to
Becoming an APN,” 2016). Maintaining national certification is a condition of
maintaining Illinois APN licensure, and requires meeting qualifications for continuing
APN PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
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education set forth by your national certification agency (“Steps to Becoming an APN,”
2016).
IDPFR regulates nursing and many other health professionals in Illinois. One
regulatory requirement is that all APNs need to complete 50 hours of approved
continuing education per 2-year license renewal cycle.
The practice environment varies from hospital to hospital and regions in the state
of Illinois. In the city of Chicago I can only speak as a registered nurse (RN) at this point,
but there has been more decision-making abilities given to RNs regarding our practice
environment. Lets use staffing for example. RNs reportedly have rights in their hospital
staffing plans as provided under the nurse and patient-centric law. (Fitzpatrick, Anen, &
Martinez Soto, 2013). This law was apparently necessary due to the high volume of
patients and the shortage of nurses the hospitals were experiencing. The law underscores
the desire of Illinois lawmakers and other stakeholders to improve the patient care
