Health & Medical Question

You will select one of your assignments for this course and write about

which essential(s) it most closely aligns with. You may select any of

the assignments…your choice. This will be 2-3 pages not including the

cover sheet. Please remember to reference appropriately throughout the

paper. APA 7th Professional. I am attaching the assignment to this email.

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An Analysis of a Recent Article on the Impact of Nurse Practitioners in Society
Shana Spratt
Elms College
2023 Fall DNP Immersion I (NUR-7100-DNPD1)
Professor Sharon Brown, DNP, FNP-BC
September 12, 2023
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An Analysis of a Recent Article on the Impact of Nurse Practitioners in Society
Article Selected
Many articles have been written in the recent past detailing nurse practitioners in practice
and their impact on society. A notable health issue that the role of nurse practitioners is deemed
essential in addressing is the opioid epidemic. Regarding this aspect, Jenna Elizabeth posted an
article titled “The Evolving Role of Nurses Amidst the Opioid Epidemic” on the Nursa blog site
(Elizabeth, 2023). The article is among many other articles that offer varied perceptions about
the role of nurse practitioners in the wake of the opioid epidemic.
Overview of the Article
Jenna Elizabeth explores several factors concerning nurse practitioners’ role evolution
amidst the opioid epidemic. The article details how nurse practitioners are at the forefront of
combating the opioid epidemic by monitoring patient’s pain and offering pharmacological
interventions for pain alleviation (Elizabeth, 2023). The article further offers precise information
on what opioids are, the various types of opioids, and a detailed description of valium (a
commonly abused opioid). With regards to the evolved nursing practitioners’ role amidst the
epidemic, the article expounds on how nurses are currently completing opioid prescribing pieces
of training to be able to fight opioids effectively. Additionally, the article details the role of nurse
practitioners in overdose recovery among affected patients, pointing out that nurse practitioners
have the role of recommending and administering such substances as naloxone for emergency
treatment of the health issue and aiding in addiction recovery.
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An Analysis of a Recent Article on the Impact of Nurse Practitioners in Society
Nurse Practitioner’s Impact on Society
The article admits that the opioid epidemic has a devastating impact on society and that
nurse practitioners, among other healthcare practitioners, have a significant role in the fight
against the epidemic (Elizabeth, 2023). A notable impact of nurse practitioners on society in the
fight against the opioid epidemic, as detailed in the article, is that they are at the forefront of
monitoring patients affected by the epidemic and using pharmacological interventions to address
the pain attributable to the woes of the opioid epidemic. Another societal impact of nurse
practitioners in the war against the opioid epidemic is the earlier screening of opioid misuse
disorder and prescribing pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Earlier
screening of opioid use disorder is critical in forming strategies to address the societal issue and
bar its progression. Another impact of nurse practitioners in the fight against the health crisis is
formulating and executing strategies to aid addiction recovery. Notably, many US citizens have
opioid use disorder and addiction problems; thus, the advanced nursing practice plays a critical
role in recovering from addiction among addicts. Other impacts include guiding, counseling, and
forming society-based educational programs.
Personal Reflection
Jenna Elizabeth’s “The Evolving Role of Nurses Amidst the Opioid Epidemic” article
profoundly opened my eyes to the evolving role of nurse practitioners in combating healthcare
problems of societal and community significance. The article has shown me how impactful the
practice can be in targeted communities and societies when dealing with healthcare issues. Nurse
practitioners’ role expansion to include prescription, as detailed in the opioid prescribing pieces
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An Analysis of a Recent Article on the Impact of Nurse Practitioners in Society
of training undertaken by nurses, shows how the dynamic healthcare environment and changing
patients’ needs may call for an evolution of roles to fit societal needs. As a nurse practitioner, I
will apply feasible and effective strategies and interventions to impact society concerning
healthcare issues that have surmountable impacts on the community. This is something that is
near and dear to my heart because I have been a Substance Abuse, detox nurse for three years.
Every single year the more we try to get better the worse the epidemic gets. It’s very refreshing
to me that nurse practitioners are taking a vital role in trying to stop people from dying. I hope to
become one of them in this fight.
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An Analysis of a Recent Article on the Impact of Nurse Practitioners in Society
Reference
Elizabeth, J. (2023, August 9). The opioid epidemic: What is the role of nurses? The Opioid
Epidemic: What Is the Role of Nurses? https://nursa.com/blog/the-evolving-role-ofnurses-amidst-the-opioid-epidemic