How to Be a Nurse Practitioner in an HMO or Similar Environment 2023
Slowly, non-physician practitioners like nurses are gaining recognition. Although the staffing in HMOs continues to lean towards physicians, there are a few who take recruitment input from non-physician practitioners. So how does one apply for the job of a nurse practitioner? And what duty do they perform?
First of all, let’s start with what a nurse practitioner is and what exactly they do.
Who is a Nurse Practitioner?
Nurse practitioners (NPs) specialize in inpatient care, rehab, and specialized care clinics. Other practices may include management, research work, or teaching within a healthcare organization or an educational institution.
NPS receive advanced clinical and academic training, enabling them to care for various patients. Their day-to-day practise is highly similar to a doctor’s. For this reason, many NPs serve as primary care providers to adults, children, and families, particularly in HMOs. NPS are specialized nurses who design treatment plans alongside or independently from physicians.
A nurse assesses patients’ conditions, diagnoses health issues, operates medical equipment, administers treatments, and, in some states, prescribes medications. The nurse practitioner provides primary and speciality care in paediatrics, psychiatry, and geriatrics.
How to Be a Nurse Practitioner in an HMO or Similar Environment 2023
NPS receive an advanced degree – either a master’s or doctorate (DNP or PhD). In most states, independent licensure nurse practitioners are familiar, but they collaborate with physicians (like HMOs) in some states. Despite their impressive skill set, ever since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, life has become pretty hard for healthcare professionals. In addition to long work hours, emotional burnout, and the emergence of new healthcare technologies, pandemics may be responsible for some of the current issues facing nurse practitioners.
Nevertheless, with countless years of training and experience, they have the qualifications and the license to overcome them and provide a vast range of health services. Some of these are:
How to Be a Nurse Practitioner in an HMO or Similar Environment 2023
- Examining and evaluating patients thoroughly
- Diagnosis of illnesses and conditions
- Initiation and management of treatments
- The ordering and interpretation of tests
- Performing minor surgical procedures or assisting in major surgical procedures
- Prescribing medications (within the law)
- Providing counselling and education
Recent observation and research show that nurse practitioners are just as successful as physicians. What’s even more interesting is that reports suggest a higher level of satisfaction from patients of nurse practitioners.
Health Management Organization (HMO)
It’s a health insurance program that allows for employment or contract with a group of practitioners, including physicians, nurses, and physician assistants. One of the appeals of such organizations is the reduced cost for the same care, though limiting the place where you can go and who you can see.
The plan requires you to stick to a network of healthcare professionals, hospitals for tests; otherwise, the services don’t come under it (except in an emergency). It is also essential to have a primary care provider responsible for seeing your checkups and most general care.
How HMOs Work
Make sure to follow the necessary steps to receive coverage from the HMO.
Choosing a Primary Care Provider
Your primary care provider may come in the form of a family practitioner; an internist or paediatrician will be your primary health provider coordinating your care. Make sure you are comfortable with the person you choose.
Referrals for Special Treatments
In most HMOs, your primary care provider decides whether or not you need any other types of special care. And they must make a referral for you to receive it. Referrals will, of course, be within the region where you live.
Using In-Network Providers
There is a list of healthcare providers within the network provided by the HMO. Those providers possess a wide array of healthcare services, including doctors, hospitals, labs, X-ray facilities, and speech therapists, specialists, pharmacies,
Getting out-of-network care can be an expensive mistake when you are a part of an HMO. A simple blood test at the wrong lab, and you would be drowning in bills for hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
Neglection of NP Contribution in HMO
While the advent of HMOs helps create an opportunity to test the effectiveness of alternating their staffing within the various group practices. The main objective of an HMO is to bring a healthier lifestyle for a certain amount of the population and help to contain health costs. If these things are the key to HMO success, non-physician health workers deserve recognition for their significant contributions.
The lack of acknowledgement and awareness of these people is one of the most notable aspects of the health care reform. According to recent studies, our healthcare system places a greater emphasis on primary care physicians. The burden is shared by many nurse practitioners and physician assistants (NPs, PAs). With predictions of shortages of primary care physicians, it interests many that since NPs possess advanced training, they are better suited for independent practice.
People who value compassion and intellectual stimulation are rewarded for a career as a nurse practitioner. Using their expertise, through counselling, education, and medical intervention, they help patients live healthier lives.
Common Issues Faced by NPS in HMOs
There are a lot of issues facing nurse practitioners due to the growing nurse shortage and COVID-19 pandemic, including long work hours, emotional burnout, and the emergence of new healthcare technologies. Understanding these challenges and overcoming them is beneficial to future nurse practitioners.
Some of the most common issues that almost every NP faces are:
Workplace hazards, short staffing, extended hours
Nurses are working longer hours due to a shortage of nurses in the field. Nursing jobs typically feature long shifts and irregular hours, and overnight changes that make it difficult for nurses to maintain a sense of balance in their lives. In September 2021, the ANA wrote to the Department of Health and Human Services to recognize the shortage as a national emergency.
Nurses are also susceptible to workplace hazards such as infectious diseases and hazardous objects such as needles. The consequences of such injuries can be life-threatening.
Burnout: A Price to Pay
Due to the stressful nature of the job, nurse practitioners often suffer from burnout. Stress and burnout can result from emotional exhaustion, physical exhaustion, and difficulty recovering from and processing work experiences. In addition to the emotional toll, burnout can also have a financial impact. Approximately $14 billion is spent each year by the healthcare system on nurse burnout, according to a 2018 study.
COVID-19’s Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues, creating unsafe working conditions and exhausted and overworked nurses.
To combat the spread of this virus, healthcare providers have had to adapt to new treatment protocols and vaccination protocols. According to the Trusted Health survey from 2021, 46% of nurses say their commitment to nursing has waned. According to Mental Health America, nurses have a higher exposure to COVID-19. They are more likely to feel tired than their counterparts in other fields.
nal Words!
Nursing is undoubtedly a noble profession, but before you decide to choose it, ensure that you’re well aware of all the challenges and hardships that come along with it.
With new and more effective methods for providing care and treatment, health care professionals continue to grow and evolve. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates that available healthcare positions are expected to grow 15% between 2019 and 2029. That’s almost four times more than the rise in jobs over the next year, which is only 4%. And nurse practitioners (NPs) are even more in demand, so if you’re thinking of pursuing a career in nursing, now is the right time to do so.
Value of CCNA, CCNP, CCIP and CCIE Certification
How to Be a Nurse Practitioner in an HMO or Similar Environment