The Future of AGACNP Practice
Nursing is constantly growing and adapting to meet the rising challenges of our healthcare system. With the Association of American Medical Colleges predicting a shortfall of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, a key solution according to nurses and policy makers is to allow advanced practice nurses full practice and prescriptive authority in every state.
Allowing advanced practice nurses to offer more comprehensive and advanced patient care is a step forward for both nurses and their patients. With full practice and prescriptive authority, nurses are better able to bridge the gap between nurse practitioners and physicians, enabling nurses to deliver a wider range of care services and begin their own private practices in both cities and underserved rural communities.
Without these privileges, the duties an acute care nurse is permitted to perform is often limited, or requires the referral or assistance of a physician. These limitations can hinder patient care delivery, causing longer wait times or adding steps to the process.
With AGACNPs often treating acute illnesses, time is of the essence. By allowing full practice authority, nurses can provide more effective and comprehensive care, positively impacting their communities and improving patient outcomes.
Nursing care can change patients’ lives for the better. Acute care nurses can make all the difference in treating, managing and supporting recovery from acute or chronic illnesses. Through an advanced education and dedication, AGACNPs are able to provide quality care to people when they need it most.
Pursuing an advanced degree program that delivers an in-depth understanding of the nursing practice and advanced practical skills can be a key step for future nursing leaders to reach their goals. One such program is the Duquesne University online Master of Science in Nursing program and its Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner concentration.
A fully online program taught by industry experts and featuring both a dedicated support team and access to a full array of educational resources, the Duquesne University program is designed to provide students with the practical skills to succeed.