Nurses: Barriers to practicing to the fullest extent of their education and training
In this dynamic healthcare climate, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) will play an instrumental role in health outcomes of diverse populations. Currently, there are more than 250,000 APRNs who hold masters and doctoral degrees and who are nationally certified (Brooten, Youngblut, Hannan, & Guido-Sanz, 2012). Due to the demand for healthcare services, the employment of APRNs is expected to increase 31% from 2012 to 2022 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2014). Several factors contribute to this increase in demand, including passage of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the ever-increasing aging baby boomer population, and the renewed interest in health promotion…