Reflection Postings
Advanced Pharmacology
Reflecting over the eight weeks in this course, the achievements of the course outcomes in this course have
... [Show More] prepared me to
meet the MSN program outcome #3, MSN Essential IX, and NP Core Competencies # 5.
The MSN Essential IX: Recognizing that nursing practice, at the master’s level, is a broadly defined as any form of nursing
intervention that influences healthcare outcomes for individuals, populations, or systems. Master’s-level nursing graduates must
have an advanced level of understanding of nursing and relevant sciences as well as the ability to integrate this knowledge into
practice. Nursing practice interventions include both direct and indirect care components. Applying the science of pharmacology and
integrating it into APN practice is what this course did. Throughout this course, treatment was based on using evidence-based
therapies and researching up to date medications. This ensures patients get the best possible care. “Nurse practitioners have a
professional responsibility to follow state and national guidelines and to be aware of best practices for safe opioid prescribing to
protect patients, the public, and themselves if they become the subject of an investigation” (Hudspeth, 2016).
Program outline #3: Use contemporary communication modalities effectively in advanced nursing roles. One of the most
challenging aspects of prescribing medications is the possibility of dangerous interactions with those patients on multi-drug
therapies. When it comes to prescriptive authority, sound critical thinking in decision making is crucial. Medications can and do alter
people’s lives and the ability to prescribe them is an awesome responsibility. Part of the fear in having this responsibility lies in the
fact that many times, as providers, we do not always know what medications a patient is already taking. Certainly, patients do their
best in relaying their medical history and providing up-to-date lists of their current medications; however, we know that information
is often forgotten or omitted from our conversations with them. This causes concern when prescribing new medications, as there
may be harmful drug interactions that we are not able to avoid without all the pertinent information from the patient. It is our role
an APN to communicate with all members of the patients care team to avoid any medication errors.
This also must consider Nurse Practitioner Core Competencies #5 Technology and Information Literacy Competencies because
as APN we must be able to integrate all the patients’ history and medications into a central file so that all members of the team are
aware of the care plan (Allanetal, 2005). Of course, the future of my APN practice will be influenced by daily pharmacologic aspects.
These influences are broad and will include: safety, cost, effectiveness, accessibility, and practical usage. As I progress in my clinical
experiences and enter my own practice as an APN, I expect that these concerns and decisions will eventually become more and more
familiar. However, pharmacology is an area of medicine that is constantly changing and evolving, so keeping up-to-date on new [Show Less]