NR 500 Week 6 Speakers Notes

NR 500 Week 6 Speakers Notes

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-500: Foundational Concepts & Applications

Prof. Name

Date

Introduction

As a master’s student in the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) program at Chamberlain, my goal today is to delve into the relevance of evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing and its critical applications in clinical settings. I will provide a conceptual model that serves as the foundation for EBP and illustrate its relevance in my track as a family nurse practitioner. This presentation will outline the reasons for pursuing an advanced nursing degree and address the specific challenges within my area of focus: the prevention of depression and suicide in teenagers. The report will also discuss the guidelines for improving patient outcomes, considering both internal and external factors. This presentation references the competencies established by the National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) to highlight their relevance in addressing teenage mental health concerns, particularly in the areas of depression and suicide. The presentation will conclude with a reflection on the insights shared today.

Importance of Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential for developing clinical guidelines and improving patient outcomes, clinical trials, and healthcare environments. EBP synthesizes research, which in turn enhances clinical practices, promotes patient safety, and ensures the highest possible quality of care. By implementing EBP, healthcare providers ensure that clinical decisions are founded on reliable evidence, which leads to uniformity in healthcare practices across various settings (Schub et al., 2017). EBP not only contributes to improved patient outcomes but also ensures the efficient use of limited healthcare resources (Bushell, 2019). Additionally, EBP encourages nurses to critically evaluate current practices, integrate new skills, and adapt to technological advances. Through EBP, nurses provide cost-effective, high-quality care that aligns with the latest advancements in healthcare (Stevens, 2017).

Conceptual Model: The ARCC Model

The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice through Close Collaboration (ARCC) model, introduced in 1999 by Melnyk, is grounded in cognitive-behavioral theory. It was initially conceptualized as a mentorship framework to facilitate the integration of EBP among advanced practice nurses (Melynk et al., 2017). Often utilized in large healthcare institutions, such as hospitals, the ARCC model focuses on evaluating organizational strengths and weaknesses to support EBP initiatives. This model includes appointing EBP mentors to guide their peers, a task that can be challenging as it requires identifying suitable candidates with leadership potential (Schaffer, 2013). The ARCC model enhances EBP by fostering nurse empowerment and promoting job satisfaction and team cohesion. In the context of teenage mental health, the ARCC model is instrumental in implementing standardized screening tools for depression. This model allows healthcare providers to adopt a systematic approach to diagnosing and managing teenage depression effectively, thereby improving outcomes.

NR 500 Week 6 Speakers Notes

Table: Summary of Key Aspects

Area of Interest

Depression is a widespread mental health condition, frequently observed in primary care and is linked with elevated suicide rates among teenagers. Untreated depression significantly raises the risk of suicidal tendencies, with reports indicating that those with depressive disorders constitute the majority of suicides among adolescents (CDC, 2019). Approximately 800,000 people die from suicide each year, and depression is the second leading cause of death among individuals aged 15 to 29 (Santhanam, 2019). Depression and suicide disproportionately affect young black youth, underscoring the importance of early intervention by primary care providers. By establishing trust, providers can facilitate open discussions about mental health, assess high-risk individuals, and ensure that appropriate referrals are made when necessary (Santhanam, 2019).

Issue and Recommendations for Change

Addressing teenage depression is vital, especially given the high prevalence of mental health issues among adolescents who may not openly discuss their challenges. Many risk factors, including exposure to abuse, domestic violence, and social media bullying, exacerbate depression in teenagers. Emotional and physical abuse, for instance, contributes to low self-esteem and long-term mental health conditions, including depression (Lusk et al., 2011). Implementing community-based mental health programs, like Creating Opportunity for Personal Empowerment (COPE), which provides 30-minute sessions to reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem among teenagers, is one effective solution (Lusk et al., 2011). Schools should incorporate mental health screenings, and access to mental health services must be expanded, particularly in low-income communities where mental health resources are limited (O’Connor, 2016).

NONPF Competencies

The National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) emphasizes competencies critical to teenage mental health. Leadership competencies enable nurse practitioners to collaborate effectively with other healthcare providers, school counselors, and psychiatric institutions to create a supportive environment for at-risk teenagers (NONPF, 2017). Policy competency allows nurse practitioners to advocate for equitable, ethical, and high-quality mental health services. As nurse practitioners, using these competencies enhances our capacity to address teenage depression and suicide, ensuring accessible and impactful care (Chan et al., 2020).

Conclusion

In my role as an advanced practice nurse on the FNP track, I am committed to integrating EBP to provide safe, efficient, and effective care. EBP not only improves patient outcomes but also ensures the implementation of standard practices. Through the ARCC model, EBP can be systematically implemented and sustained in clinical settings. Embracing core competencies in nursing practice allows advanced practice nurses to meet the complex needs of patients, especially adolescents at risk of depression and suicide. As nurse practitioners, we must remain proactive in screening and managing mental health conditions, aiming to reduce suicide rates and improve the well-being of our young population.

References

Bushell, P. (2019). The importance of evidence-based practice in health care. Nursing Times.

Chan, C., et al. (2020). National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties (NONPF) competencies. Journal of Advanced Nursing.

Lusk, P., & Melnyk, B. M. (2011). COPE: Creating opportunity for personal empowerment for children with depression. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing.

Melnyk, B. M., et al. (2017). Advancing research and clinical practice through close collaboration (ARCC) model. American Journal of Nursing.

Santhanam, S. (2019). The rise of suicide among black youth. Health Affairs.

NR 500 Week 6 Speakers Notes

Schaffer, M. A. (2013). Evidence-based practice for healthcare professionals. Nursing Research.

Schub, E., et al. (2017). Clinical application of evidence-based practice. Nursing Clinics of North America.

Stevens, K. R. (2017). The impact of evidence-based practice in nursing and the next big ideas. Nursing Research.