My Unique Experience as a Nurse Practitioner in the Futures Program

During the Futures Program in 2021, I learned a lot about how to manage long-term care patients, which included weighing risks and potential rewards of aspirin our older patient population, minimizing polypharmacy, broaching palliative as an ongoing discussion over several visits. But what struck me most during this conference was unique my experience nurse practitioner compared with that other providers — namely, physicians. For 2021 Annual Conference AMDA – The Society for Post-Acute Long-Term Care Medicine, actually only attendance. As far knew, everyone else physician. felt both special underqualified, but soon realized different professional from attendees. Many physicians were their first year or two residency, they’d had limited interaction patients settings. Others just begun residency; graduated medical school thus little direct at all. come seven years’ caring registered University Maryland Medical Center on neuro intermediate unit. Our unit also acute-care setting: many neurodegenerative conditions been diagnosed, they would be transferred subacute rehabilitation facilities. worked together interdisciplinary team facilitate smooth transitions these always wondered did after discharge unit, prompted become care. Nurse preparation is than physician training. Typically it involves undergraduate training then masters clinical doctoral degree specified such adult gerontology primary care, varying years nurse. practitioners are able draw upon bedside nurses inform skills symptom management. advanced practice provider Program, perspective assessment management especially helpful working PALTC setting. instance, used collaborative process, us see value fostering good relationships certified assistants (CNAs), licensed practical (LPNs), (RNs) because own experiences patient’s bedside. helped recognize work collaboratively practitioner, challenge embrace creating accurate differential diagnoses times benefited collaboration Their education focused diagnostics, expertise has proven invaluable new practitioner. My members holistic patients. Overall, gain confidence myself can bring have more share providers. Dr. Waksmunski prepared Complete Heritage Dundalk, Maryland.