Advanced practice nursing: opportunities and challenges

Planning for the future may not be easy but it is always worthwhile. Resources that can help in making choices include professional organizations such as the Kentucky Coalition of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives, KNA, American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, American College of Nurse Practitioners, the Internet, and the college and university Schools of Nursing. Taking control of one's destiny is the best gift that can be given to one's self. Increasing options for career development is just one of the benefits of pursuing educational goals. The first step is commitment to goal. Selecting the right specialty, planning how financial obligations will be met and choosing the program that best meets identified needs are steps that will follow. Health care changes are occurring at such a rapid pace the individual nurse may feel caught in a whirlwind without control. Making the choice to seek change will present its own challenges but without change, growth is impossible. For those considering an Advanced Practice role, making the commitment, outlining a plan with each step clearly identified, reliance on a strong support system, and maintaining a vision of the completed goal will lead to success.