NURSE PRACTITIONER: AN UNTAPPED AREA OF

SPECIALIZATION IN NIGERIA
BY
OMOLOLA ADAMS OLATAYO
RN, RM, RPHN, HEALTH&HOSPITAL MGT (CERTIFIED), BLS, BNSC,

Nursing is defined as science and art of life which is evidenced-based

practice profession that is built upon a desired goal in attaining maximal
health status of a client well or sick (Omolola 2014 unpublished). It
encompasses the holistic care given as requested by the client ranging from
clinical based disorder to psychological, economical, emotional, spiritual,
and environmental and community care. Nursing in Nigeria is not different
from its counterpart around the globe, thus need to evolve as the global
trends moved. A lot has been happening in the world of nursing profession.
Nursing in Nigeria is not left out in the global nursing which makes it
recognized in the world. A lot of Nigerian nurses are found around the globe
contributing positively to the health sector of their country of abode. One of
the major areas that have not been tapped in Nigeria is NURSE
PRACTITIONER.
Many nurses in Nigeria has read or heard about nurse practitioner
been practiced in the developed world. Therefore there is need to key into
such area of specialization as its importance is numerous. Nursing
profession is evolving as the technology is developing. Many ailments are
emerging and need to increase in the research input, this will keep the
practitioner abreast and able to combat the challenges of such ailment.
Mayo clinic (2015) stated that Nursing is the largest health care
occupation with more than 2 million jobs. Overall, it's one of the 10
occupations projected to have the largest numbers of new jobs. Nurse
practitioners are in high demand to provide health promotion, health
maintenance and sick care services.
A nurse practitioner (NP) is an advanced practitioner registered nurse
(APRN) who has completed advanced coursework and clinical education

beyond that required of the generalist registered nurse (RN) role. According
to the International Council of Nurses, an NP/advanced practice registered
nurse is "a registered nurse who has acquired the knowledge base, decisionmaking skills, and clinical competencies for expanded practice beyond that
of an RN, the characteristics of which would be determined by the context in
which he or she is credentialed to practice. (Wikipedia)
They perform comprehensive and focused physical examinations;
diagnose and treat common acute illnesses and injuries; provide
immunizations; manage high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and other
chronic health problems; order and interpret diagnostic tests such as X-rays
and EKGs, as well as laboratory tests; prescribe medications and therapies;
perform procedures; and educate and counsel patients and their families
regarding healthy lifestyles and health care options.(explorehealthcareer.org)
According to money.usnews,com Nurse practitioners array of
qualifications, and the fact they can work independently of doctors to treat
patients, makes this No. 4 job on our Best Jobs of 2014 list an attractive
career choice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 37,100 new positions
for this field between 2012 and 2022, growing at a rate of 33.7 percent. NPs
provide primary and some acute care and are qualified to meet the majority
of patients' health care needs. They promote a comprehensive approach to
health care and emphasize the overall health and wellness of their patients.
Two predominant categories of the APN are identified:
Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), defined as a person having a
qualification in the area of specializing, in-depth knowledge and expertise
that enables her/him to focus on facility care and work closely with
medical officers on a consultative basis.
Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP), defined as a person who focuses
on primary care, health assessment, diagnosis and treatment. This
category can work with medical officers on a referral basis. In South
Africa, this category is closer to Primary Health Care (PHC) nurse and at
time the midwife, psychiatric and paediatric nurse working outside the
formal hospital environment.
Nurse practitioners are registered nurses who are prepared through
advanced education and clinical training to provide preventive and acute
health care services to individuals of all ages. Today, most NPs complete
graduate-level education that leads to a master's degree. They work

independently and collaboratively on the health care team. NPs take health
histories and provide complete physical examinations, diagnose and treat
many common acute and chronic problems, interpret laboratory results and
X-rays, prescribe and manage medications and other therapies, provide
health teaching and counseling to support healthy lifestyle behaviors and
prevent illness, and refer patients to other health professionals as needed.
(mayo clinic)
Highlighted below are some of the responsibilities of a nurse practitioner
in her line of duty. According to healthcaresalaryworld.com
Carry out physical exam and record the health history of patients
Give basic healthcare treatment
Write prescription and order for medical tests
Conduct counseling session for the elderly patients and their family
members (geriatric nurse practitioners)
Help the physician in deciding on the right treatment option for the
patients
Educate cancer patients on how to manage their life (oncology nurse
practitioners)
Help psychiatrists and psychologists in reviewing the condition of the
patients and determining the right treatment option for them
(psychiatric nurse practitioner)
Thus, nurse practitioner is found in all area of specialty in nursing
such medical nurse practitioner, community nurse practitioner, public
health nurse practitioner, paediatric nurse practitioner, midwife
practitioner, family nurse practitioner, etc.

How to Become a Nurse Practitioner

Before one becomes a licensed nurse practitioner, they have to
undergo traditional schooling in nursing school, graduate, complete a review,

then take and pass the nursing qualifying examination. Upon getting
licensed as a Registered Nurse, they are required to work or practice their
profession for at least a year before enrolling for a masters degree program
in Nursing. The field of specializations these nurses usually study for are
epidemiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, diagnostics, radiography,
disease management and research methodologies. Masters degree may take
anywhere from 2 to 4 years of additional education.
There are many specialties a nurse can decide to be a practitioner in. A
Family Nurse Practitioner specializes in the treatment and diagnoses of
patients in a wide age range, from childhood to the elderly. People drawn to
this specialty are life-long learners who seek more responsibility and
independence in their career. They find professional satisfaction in
evaluating and treating patients and pay special attention to the family unit.
Family nurse practitioners are equipped to work in hospitals, private
practice, government organizations, community health organizations, and
other health care systems. (nursingonline.uc.edu)
As nursing is evolving around the globe, nursing in Nigeria should not
be left behind rather should be able to compete with its counterpart around
the world. Nursing is a dynamic profession that is research driven to be able
to meet up with global needs. As the world moved technologically nursing
cannot be in isolation. Its essential to incorporate the new technology into
nursing profession which is happening in the world. Its very much
unfortunate that government hospitals in Nigeria are ill-equipped, how then
will the nurses be technologically endowed.
The nursing and midwifery council of Nigeria in conjunction with
ministry of health with support of stakeholders should form a policy that will
enhance the establishment of nurse practitioner program with a concrete and
comprehensive policy formulation. The curriculum should be well stipulated
and designed with input of seasoned practitioner around the world and
seasoned academician. This program should be at master level as earlier
highlighted. This program should be seen as an avenue to increase the
capacity of health sector which will transcend upon the client with positive
influence; it will eliminate excessive waiting time and provide prompt
attention to client and reduce workload on medical doctor. All professionals
involved in this scheme should provide a maximal support as seen as
effective tool in enhancing a healthy health sector. Rivalry and ego may
likely be a factor that will undermine the process. If Nigeria health sector

should swipe off the current reality in health sector, the sector shall remain
in shamble and be cocked up. Based on my findings (unpublished), only
South Africa has adopted the speciality into its health system, and has been
successful. Then why cant Nigeria adopt it.
REFERENCE
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nurse_practitioner
explorehealthcareers.org Careers Nursing
money.usnews.com/careers/.../nurse-practitio...
nursingonline.uc.edu Nursing Specialties Family Nurse Practitioner
www.aanp.org
www.healthcaresalaryworld.com/nurse-practitioner-job-description
www.mayo.edu Home Academics
www.sanc.co.za/position_advanced_practice_nursing.htm