ACNM Supports Study Of Effectiveness And Outcomes Of Care Of Advanced Practice Nursing, USA

Main Category: Nursing / Midwifery
Article Date: 29 Jan 2008 - 3:00 PDT

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The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM) Board of Directors has approved ACNM participation in a project to produce an assessment or meta-analysis of existing research on care delivered by Advance Practice Nurses (APNs). The project, "An Assessment of the Safety, Quality, and Effectiveness of Care Provided by Advanced Practice Nurses," has been initiated by the Tri-Council for Nursing, a coalition of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, the American Nurses Association, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, and the National League for Nursing. APNs are nurses prepared for practice as nurse practitioners, certified nurse-midwives, certified registered nurse anesthetists, or clinical nurse specialists.

ACNM has appointed Kerri Schuiling, CNM, PhD, WHCNP, FACNM, ACNM Senior Staff Researcher and Professor and Associate Dean of Nursing Education at Northern Michigan University, to represent the College on this initiative.

While significant research exists on the effectiveness and outcomes of care delivered by APNs, no recent assessment or meta-analysis has included current research. Recent discussions regarding scope of practice by APNs and other health professionals has stimulated policy-focused discussions on issues of quality, safety, and effectiveness of care by all providers. The Tri-Council initiative seeks to produce an assessment or meta-analysis of existing research on care delivered by APNs and the care outcomes associated with APNs.

"This is an important opportunity for the ACNM to collaborate with our nursing colleagues to look at what nursing has accomplished and the great potential it holds for the future in helping to promote the autonomy of the professions within nursing and the autonomy of nursing itself," says ACNM President Eunice K.M. Ernst, CNM, MPH, DSc(Hon), FACNM. "We must move forward with factual information to educate the public, payers of care and other health professions that advanced practice nursing, which in many states includes licensure for nurse-midwives, has a critical role to play in the future construction of quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In the words of Helen Keller, 'Alone we can do so little - together we can do so much'."

In approving this support, ACNM joins the ranks of other nursing organizations who are contributing to this important project, including American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses, the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools, the National Student Nurses Association, and the Association for Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nursing.

With roots dating to 1929, the American College of Nurse-Midwives is the oldest women's health care association in the U.S. ACNM's mission is to promote the health and well-being of women and newborns within their families and communities through the development and support of the profession of midwifery as practiced by certified nurse-midwives and certified midwives. Midwives believe every individual has the right to safe, satisfying health care with respect for human dignity and cultural variations.

American College of Nurse-Midwives

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