To the layman, everyone working in a hospital might seem the same. People sporting stethoscopes around their necks rush from place to place. Men and women file in and out to review medication or help insert a patient’s IV. Yet more people carry small, bottled, samples from here to there while studying clipboard charts. While it may seem like a jumble of people whose only distinction is the color of the scrubs they wear, the professionals in a clinical setting are actually incredibly diverse! All those people rushing around have different assignments and specialties, as well as valuable insights to contribute to their team. Furthermore, each teammate plays a special role. One such teammate is the Nurse Practitioner (NP).
A typical registered nurse, or RN, undergoes an associate or bachelor program, where they become experts in patient care. Among other things, RNs administer medication, provide “bedside” care where they spend lots of time with individual patients, and ultimately carry out instructions from providers, such as physicians. Nurse practitioners are trained as nurses in the same way, but then take their training further. NPs extend their education by completing a master's or doctorate program. For example, NPs studying at BYU complete the Master of Science and Nursing program to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs). This extra study gives NPs the capacity to work as providers by diagnosing patients, coordinating care, and assuming other roles typically taken on by a physician. NPs can currently practice independently in 28 states including Utah, increasing their capacity to work as primary providers.
A master’s-level education, as well as all of the clinical experience that goes with it, is certainly no small accomplishment. NPs go the extra mile when it comes to education and this is reflected in their capacity. Yet, some in the medical field would critique the true value of an NP. After all, in a world full of highly trained doctors, why give the provider role to a nurse practitioner? The reality is that NPs provide some of the greatest benefits to patient care in terms of cost, methods used, and emotional support.
It’s easy to understand that NP care is more accessible and affordable than that of an MD. Charging less for similar services gives underserved communities a chance to have affordable, high-quality care. What isn’t as well-understood is that there are myriad positive effects an NP has on their patients during treatment. A recent article from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing highlighted the findings of several studies. One fascinating statistic comes from a study led by the Tri-Council of Nursing over an eighteen-year period that demonstrated how patient care primarily led by NPs was found to reduce hospital stays and was equivalent to the more expensive MD-led care. The article also referenced an enlightening study showing that acute care resulted in a lower mortality rate when more NPs worked with the patients. When asked about the value of an NP, BYU College of Nursing professor Mike Robinson (DNP, FNP-C) had this to say:
“Nurse practitioners are vital to advancing healthcare! Care provided by nurse practitioners consistently demonstrates superior outcomes in patient care in addition to being cost-efficient and readily accessible. As evidence mounts, it's clear that expanding NP roles and enhancing their education is not just beneficial, but essential to meeting modern healthcare demands and improving patient well-being.”
So, what gives NPs this magic touch?
NPs have something that sets them apart from other primary healthcare providers: their foundation in nursing. This training and the experience it entails are different than what a physician or other type of provider receives. As Kristen Erekson (MSN, APRN, FNP-C), a nursing professor at BYU and trained NP said, “We have a very patient-centric care experience that we can bring to the role.” This patient-centric model of care gives nurse practitioners a stronger connection to their patients, and this contributes to their influence in the clinical setting.
In this respect, BYU College of Nursing has a particular advantage. Nursing students at BYU pattern their service after the Savior’s. When blood is drawn or medication is administered, it is done so with the charity, compassion, and patience that the Master Healer would show. By learning about Jesus Christ and strengthening their testimonies, nursing students develop a knack for connecting with patients that can’t be taught in the lab.
Susana Vega, a student in her first semester of the Master of Science and Nursing graduate program, is grateful for the unique perspective nursing education at BYU is bringing her. She remarked, "One aspect I truly appreciate about BYU is the integration of spirituality into our learning. Secular knowledge is important, but when combined with the understanding that God is guiding us to care for His children, the experience becomes even more meaningful."
Though some will continue to question the role of NPs, the most impactful thing that can be done is to promote unity and teamwork. As Dr. Erekson points out, “It’s important that, as BYU transitions into having a medical school, we’re not at odds with each other. There are a lot of people that need to be helped in this world, and we can work together to make it happen. At the end of the day, we’re all trying to learn the Healer’s Art and help people live improved, happier lives.”
What Mike Robinson said is true - Nurse Practitioners are vital to advancing healthcare as a whole. Their unique qualifications, flexibility, and uniquely fostered ability to work with and uplift a patient are vital to keeping healthcare fair, accessible, and patient-centered. To learn more about what it takes to become an NP and the amazing opportunities available, visit BYU’s Family Nurse Practitioner website.