Introduction A Nurse Practitioner (NP) is a registered nurse must have completed a particular nursing education program which can either be a master’s degree or a doctoral degree. They must have also trained in the diagnosis and management of common and complicated medical conditions. This group of nurses is capable of practicing independently in absence of physicians. Advance Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) Pediatrics is therefore a registered nurse and a nurse practitioner with advanced training in pediatrics and can provide high quality nursing care to infants, children and adolescents. Professional growth, role of ARNP-Pediatric and Ethical dilemmas Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) – Pediatrics has a great potential for professional growth and promotion. This has been confirmed by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report which concluded that there will be an overall job opportunities for nursing professionals, including advance nurse practitioner, pediatrics. The increase is expected to be by 23% by the year 2016 (Premier Online Directory, 2009). This increase is attributed to the rapid growth of people who need specialized nursing services and the large number of nurses retiring. Some of the roles that this group of nurses specializes in according to Ronald et al (2007) are diagnosis of both common and complex diseases, giving different types of treatment procedures, therapies and medication as per diagnosis, prescribe medications. Most of these tasks are those that can not be performed by registered nurses and licensed practical nurses. Advance Nurse Practitioner Pediatrics also orders laboratory and diagnostic testing. They must also have certain skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and decision making skills. Some of the areas they work in include health care institutions, community or private hospitals, private nursing, schools, children’s hospitals and specialty clinics. They also work with other health care professionals such as pediatricians, nutritionists, and nurses (Job Profiles, 2009). ARNP-Pediatrics have several potential ethical dilemmas which include whether to or not to prescribe, whether to give certain medications that must be administered by a physician only, and whether to terminate life of a child who will automatically die even if the best care is given. These are just but a few of the ethical dilemmas ARNP-pediatrics face (Bernard, 2005). Salary scale, Educational requirements and Credentialing According to a survey carried out by Loman and Hung (2007) by the St. Louis Association of Pediatrics Nurse Practitioners showed that the mean salary for full times ARNP who are engaged in practice was an average of $ 72,788. This figure was an increase of 6.3% increase from a similar study carried in 2003. The study also showed that experience was a factor in determining salaries with the experienced ones getting a higher salary than there inexperienced counterparts. Nationally, this figure does not differ much as even in Circleville, Ohio, the average salary is $ 71,000. According to Premier Online Directory (2009), the average salary for advance nurse practitioner pediatric in 2008 was 70, 680. Specific education requirements include at least a Master of Science degree in nursing and completion of NCLEX-RN registered nursing examination. In addition to this, one has to complete a state approved advanced training program in pediatrics and finally, a state licensing examination after which one is certified. There is also the national board certification which can be through American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. In a study carried out by Ouklu (2008) to determine the need to establish ARNP-P in Kenya showed that there is an increasing need to have a cadre of nurses who will be totally independent to manage infant and childhood diseases and illness. This was attributed to the fact that there is increasing number of childhood diseases and the realization that ARNP-Pediatrics will be able to provide both nursing care and medical care hence a reduction in total cost of care. Although the findings oof this study has not been implemented in Kenya, the findings are a strong influence in development of ARNP-Pediatrics in many countries.
Conclusion
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner Pediatrics is a field that has potential for growth and therefore the government and other stakeholders need to put more effort to ensure that it develops to the required standards. There is also need to level up the differences in remuneration among states, development of standardized code of practice and carrying out of more research studies on the role of ARNP-Pediatric and ethical dilemmas so that their role can be well defined and more options availed to them on how to deal with ethical dilemmas they are likely to face.
References
- Bernard, L. M. D. (2005). Resolving ethical dilemmas: A guide for clinicians. 3rd Edition. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
- Job Profiles, (2009). Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.
- Loman, D. and Hung, S. (2007). Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Salary and Practice: Results of a Midwest Metropolitan Area Survey. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, (21):5, pp. 299-306.
- Ouklu, K. L. (2008). The need for ARNP-Pediatrics in Kenya: what is the driving force? Kenya Nursing Journal, (22):4, pp. 123-132.
- Premier Online Directory (2009).Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: Job Duties, Career Outlook, and Education Requirements. Web.
- Ronald M. et al (2007). Pediatric medicine: Textbook of inpatient management. 2nd Edition. New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.