This is a formal paper in which the student chooses an advanced professional nursing role of a family nurse practitioner and explores this role in depth, as he/she will function. Compare and contrast the ideal and observed role according to professional guidelines, theory, and research reviewed in this course and in the literature. In other words, does actual application of practice really follow theory and literature? Make sure you provide a job description of a family nurse practitioner and how it relates to the domains of practice of the role. Discuss whether this role has leadership functions? Lastly, discuss how the current United States healthcare structure, in particular, the Affordable Care Act, impacts the particular role.

What is your role as an FNP, can you discuss your responsibilities?

Role of an FNP is to provide healthcare services to a variety of populations including children and adults. Responsibilities include but are not limited to providing routine health care, performing annual physical checkups/assessments, diagnosing patients, ordering diagnostics, ordering laboratory and imaging tests, performing and assists with medical/surgical procedures, diagnosing patients, providing treatments, ordering referrals and consults, educating patients about their diagnosis and treatment options, and promoting healthy lifestyle (J. Davis, personal communication, June, 12, 2021).

Does your role differ from the professional guidelines? If so, can you explain?

The role as an FNP might differ from professional guidelines. It is extremely important to adhere to the professional policies and guidelines set up at your workplace because it can protect your liability and can defend you against lawsuits or malpractice claims. However, the role might differ from the guidelines when coming up with differential diagnosis, ordering labs, and treatment options (J. Davis, personal communication, June, 12, 2021). The professional guidelines and the evidenced based research and theories do not emphasize the significance of specific diagnosis that FNPs use in the setting. Though practice guidelines highlight that FNPs may diagnose conditions, they do not dictate the different steps that FNPs will conduct to effectively diagnose patients (Keeling, 2015).

Denisco, S. M. Advanced Practice Nursing: Essential

Knowledge for the Profession. Jones & Bartlett Learning.