Access to quality healthcare has become a necessity rather than a luxury. Still, seeking in-person care can be difficult for people living rurally or without sufficient transportation. Telehealth services — a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic — have become an essential part of today’s healthcare systems as a convenient and efficient means of care delivery. Traditional in-person visits remain invaluable, but telehealth services are an excellent complementary form of accessible, high-quality care. Among the healthcare professionals leading the charge in this new virtual setting are family nurse practitioners (FNPs).
The online Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) – FNP program at Youngstown State University (YSU) offers a pathway for aspiring nurse practitioners to make a difference. In the Healthcare Issues and Trends course, students explore how emerging healthcare policies and scope of practice changes affect care delivery, including more integration of telehealth services. Graduates emerge as competent and compassionate healthcare leaders, ready to meet the diverse needs of patients in a progressively technological world.
What Are the Job Responsibilities of a Family Nurse Practitioner?
As advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), FNPs have specialized education and clinical experience in family practice. They are licensed healthcare professionals who can provide comprehensive primary care services to individuals and families across the lifespan.
While the scope of practice for FNPs continues to expand in many states, their essential job responsibilities are:
- Conducting comprehensive health assessments and routine health screenings
- Diagnosing and treating acute and chronic illnesses and conditions
- Ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, like lab work and imaging studies
- Developing treatment plans
- Prescribing medications
- Providing patient education and counseling
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals for care coordination
What Healthcare Policy Issues Do Nurse Practitioners Face?
Despite the pivotal role of NPs in primary care, healthcare policy issues like physician shortages and scope of practice restrictions affect how and where they deliver care. Physician shortages and scope or practice restrictions are two healthcare policy issues and topics that NPs impact.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) reports that the “U.S. physician workforce will be seriously challenged to meet the needs of a growing and aging nation.” With up to 49,300 more physicians needed in primary care alone, this gap leaves a path for credentialed FNPs to expand care access, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
Although many states have passed laws granting NPs full practice autonomy, including prescribing privileges, about half of states have more restrictive practice rules, reports the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP). These laws can limit FNPs’ ability to reach patients with little to no access to essential healthcare services due to physician shortages.
Telehealth Nursing: A Modern Solution
Telehealth nursing offers a viable solution to some of the most pressing healthcare policy issues. By leveraging technology, FNPs can overcome barriers related to geographical distance and physician shortages. They can conduct virtual consultations, monitor patients remotely and provide timely interventions — all critical steps toward improving equitable access to care and reducing unnecessary hospitalizations and healthcare costs.
What Is the Job Outlook for Family Nurse Practitioners?
The job outlook for NPs is strong. The career is one of the fastest-growing, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting 38% growth by 2032. According to AANP, the increasing demand for primary care services, particularly in underserved rural and urban areas, has also yielded a greater demand for qualified FNPs.
Those experienced in telehealth nursing are instrumental in bridging these gaps in healthcare access. As healthcare policy evolves to recognize the benefits of telehealth, FNPs can remain central to efforts to reach a broader patient population.
Telehealth services have revolutionized care delivery and brought benefits for both patients and providers. With specialized education and preparation, FNPs can seize the opportunities of the emerging digital world to make a meaningful impact on the well-being of individuals and families.
Learn more about Youngstown State University’s online Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner program.
