Nurse practitioners

NURSE PRACTITIONERS
Overview
Nurse practitioners are specialists and advanced practice registered nurses in certain fields of nursing. This knowledge has been gained both from practice and experience and pursuing education from institutions of learning. Nurse practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat both chronic and acute illnesses (ICN). Nurse practitioners must complete a master’s degree or a doctoral degree program. They also undergo advanced clinical training.  Nurse practitioners are qualified to perform the following, 

• Make diagnosis of medical problems 
• Refer clients for advanced treatment 
• Perform advanced procedures 
• Order medication and treatment 
• Order diagnostic tests 

Nurse practitioners can work in many areas including, nursing homes, hospitals and private offices. Nurse practitioners do not practice under the supervision of a physician but their collaborative actions ensure quality health care provision. 

WHY WE NEED TO ESTABLISH ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSES IN KENYA 

In view of acute shortage of primary care physicians in almost all parts of the country, nurse practitioners will bridge the gap of health care delivery. Nurse practitioners serve as the patients’ primary health care provider and will make diagnoses and offer treatment. Nurse practitioners can specialize in areas such reproductive health, obstetrics, cardiology, dermatology, oncology, surgery, management, psychiatric health and neonatal and child health.
Nurse practitioners also carry out research in their fields and participate in active teaching and development of health. Nurse practitioners are also mentors and administrators.
Nurse practitioners provide high quality care focusing in prevention of ailments. This leads to reduced health care costs and improved quality of health care.
Life expectancy is getting longer and facilities and resources are getting stretched by the day. The role of advanced nurse practitioners cannot be overlooked anymore.
Training of more nurse practitioners and amending laws that gag nurses role in healthcare should be a priority if we desire a healthier population.  In America there are more than 222 000 licensed nurse practitioners. Over 960 million Americans visit nurse practitioners every year. 

WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE 

• Creation of a register for nurse practitioners by the nursing council of Kenya. 
• Clearly defining the roles of nurse practitioners as consultants in their fields of specialty. 
• An act of parliament should be passed making nurse practitioners legally recognized and their job descriptions legal. 
• Nursing council of Kenya to continuously review the curriculum to improve nurse practitioners education in Kenya. 
• Nurse practitioners to be identified as highly skilled and knowledgeable professionals who are able to practice independently in their areas of specialization. 
• Salaries and remuneration commission to in consultation with stake holders to determine salaries and job groups for nurse practitioners. 

S. Korir
RN