ADVANCED PRACTICE IN NEPHROLOGY NURSING

Nephrology advanced practice nurses (APNs) include both clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). These master's-prep ared nurses have the academic credentials and clinical expertise that allow them to manage the cave of diverse ESRD populations in a variety of healthcare settings. The focus of care delivered by APNs centers o n the promotion of health and wellness and the prevention of illness a nd its complications. lit addition to their role as clinicians, APNs f unction as educators, researchers, and consultants. The overall change in the healthcare climate has impacted on all healthcare professional s. APNs ave faced with a number of challenges related to their roles, functions, and scope of practice. The Advanced Practice Nurse special interest group within the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANN A) has been developed to provide a forum to identify and define the ro les of the APN in nephrology nursing, as well as to provide opportunit ies for education, research, networking, and mentorship. The present h ealthcare environment demands high-quality cost-effective care. these outcomes might best be achieved through the development of a collabora tive practice model that fully recognizes and respects the shills and knowledge that each healthcare professional brings to the specialty.