In most cases, this allows them to receive continuous treatment on an outpatient basis. Some of the most notable include: chemotherapy, kinesiology, nutrition / diet, focusing on the mind / body connection and psychological treatment options. These different areas are important, as they will help patients to understand other tools they can utilize in dealing with their condition. This is giving them a sense of empowerment by comprehending what is occurring and the best approaches for addressing these challenges over the long-term. (Mezey, 2003) (Naylor, 2010) The APNs role is to suggest other therapies they can use during the process and help to supervise the patient. This means that they will introduce them to these alternatives and educate patients / families about how this can reduce pain and suffering. At the same time, they are offering them with tools to provide greater amounts of control over their treatment. When this happens, they can work with patients to manage events that are occurring in their lives more effectively. It is at this point that all encompassing solutions can be utilized to achieve the primary objectives in the treatment plan. (Mezey, 2003) (Naylor, 2010)

APNs are central part of this process, through helping patients to see how they can improve their underlying levels of health and educating them about procedures they can use in their daily lives. This decreases the chances of someone needing to spend added amounts of time in the hospital. It is also giving them a sense of empowerment. As a result, these areas are important in assisting everyone in effectively dealing with these issues over the longer term. This is when they can use complimentary therapies to enhance their overall levels of health through utilizing a number of solutions. APNs assist patients and their families to understand the most effective techniques and the way this can boost the treatment options they are receiving. (Mezey, 2003) (Naylor, 2010)

Create a teaching plan that an APN could use.

One of the most important roles that an APN will play is as an educator. This means that they will help stakeholders to understand effective techniques through their experiences, skills, leadership and insights. As they have a responsibility of teaching patients and their families about the condition along with the best approaches for treating it. To achieve these various objectives, any kind of techniques that are utilized must follow a predetermined plan. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)

This requires creating a strategy that is tailored to the audience or individuals they are reaching out to. This means following precise steps that will assist them in accomplishing these goals. The most notable include:

Analyze the overall resources that are available: This is when the APN will carefully look at what tools are available and determine when they should be utilized in the process. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)

Understanding the limitations and disabilities of the person: This requires examining what areas could hinder the ability of the APN to offer support to the patient or family members. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)

Laying out the plan for reaching out to the individual: This will occur when they are able to create a strategy that will help the patient to understand the main ideas. To achieve these objectives, there must be a focus on making the concepts simple, using common terms, establishing short / long-term goals, planning a series of incremental learning activities, helping the person to apply the various concepts on their own, using positive reinforcement and evaluating the outcomes. These elements are important, as they will provide a foundation for allowing them to overcome the challenges they are facing and ensuring that everyone has a better understanding of what is taking place. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)

Follow up: This will occur with the APN analyzing how the patient responds to the new ideas through monitoring the way they are able to interact with stakeholders. It is at this point when they can provide insights that will help the patient to see how they are improving and if there are any changes that need to be made during the process. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)

If this kind of teaching plan is used, it will ensure that everyone has effective follow up for what is happening and can reach out to them. When this takes place, the patients...

This is the point when they are more willing to follow these practices and guidelines over the long-term. (Jansen, 2010) (Naylor, 2010)
Outline ways to deal with Cultural and Linguistic Challenges.

The best way to deal with cultural and linguistic challenges is for the APN to work with other professionals on the staff. These individuals can provide them with research about the overall culture and background of the different patients they are serving. This will help them to determine what ethnic groups are utilizing the facility and the most common issues impacting other APNs. (Lenninger, 2001) (Cronenwett, 2009)

Once this takes place, is when the APN must conduct their own form of self-study. During this process, they will learn about the best approaches for interacting with the various segments of the population who utilize the facility. This will require understanding what customs and practices are most important to them. At the same time, they must begin learning various phrases and keywords that are important to reaching out to these individuals. This means they will have to study the language and slowly become accustomed with it. The basic idea is for the APN to become an expert on the cultural practices, customs and linguistics that are most important to different segments. (Lenninger, 2001) (Cronenwett, 2009)

When they are interacting with patients, is the point they can utilize these ideas to reduce any kind of communication barriers and help them to understand the importance of the information. This will take place, with them embracing those practices which are of significance to them and drawing a direct correlation to these ideas to modern medical concepts. It is at this point where they can be able to eliminate any kind of communication barriers in the process. (Lenninger, 2001) (Cronenwett, 2009)

Utilize Conflict Resolution Skills

To prevent misunderstandings requires that all APNs must use conflict resolution skills. This means that they need to listen to everything the patient has to say. Then, respond to them in manner that is sympathetic with their views. Yet, is it is not supporting their thinking or taking sides. Instead, they are serving as an objective party who they can relate to and feel comfortable with in explaining their issues. This will reduce the intensity and emotions they are feeling about specific issues. (Jansen, 2010) (Cronenwett, 2009)

Next, the APN must seek out neutral solutions that will solve these challenges for the patient. However, they must also ensure that they are giving in on some points, in order to feel completely satisfied with the process. This requires the individuals remaining unemotional and always working to support a friendly atmosphere. When this occurs, they can serve as liaison between the different sides and have an understanding what issues are impacting these parties. It is at this point where they can create win -- win solutions. That will make everyone feel satisfied with the outcome. (Jansen, 2010) (Cronenwett, 2009)

Conclusion

Clearly the role of APNs across the country is continually evolving. This is because they have become an important member of any health care team. That has the responsibility for providing leadership, working with patients and resolving conflicts. This means they must utilize flexibility to evolve with these challenges and understand the needs of stakeholders in the process. The impact they are having is to offer everyone with assistance from a person who can educate them about various conditions, offer complementary therapies and encourage them to follow these practices. This reduces any complications and it creates a foundation for ensuring that patients are working with health care professionals they can trust.

References

Cronenwett, L. (2009). Quality and Safety Education. Nursing Outlook, 57 (6), 338 -- 348.

Fitzpatrick, J. (2003). Managing Your Practice. New York, NY: Springer.

Hughes, R. (2008). Patient Safety and Quality. Rockville, MD: Agency for Research and Health Care Quality.

Jansen, M. (2010). Advanced Practice Nursing. New York, NY: Springer.

Lenninger, M. (2001). Cultural Care Diversity and Universality. Boston, MA: Jones and Bartlett.

Mezey, M. (2003). Nurse Practitioners. New York,…