I. Introduction
Note: PNPs are advanced practice nurses (APNs) who have completed a master's program in
nursing (MSN) or doctoral degree program (DNP). PNPs are crucial to the healthcare team
because they improve patient outcomes through assessments, analyses, planning,
implementations, and evaluations of different elements of care (Registered Nursing Org, 2017).
In all cases, PNPs deliver essential patient education, compassion, reassurance and quality care
to parents and children in particular aspects of care.
Note: PNPs are competent in education and because of this, one of their most crucial functions is
providing education to children and their parents or caregivers (Registered Nursing Org, 2017).
PNPs educate these individuals on disease processes, interventions as well as healthcare
prevention. The American Association of Nurse Practitioners states that PNPs help lower
healthcare costs because as primary care providers, they facilitate reductions in emergency room
visits, as well as shorter hospital stays. They also help in filling the primary care physician
shortage in the United States.
Note: The main objective of modern warfare is not to destroy the greatest number of targets
through attrition. Rather, the objective here is “the precise, coordinated application of
the various elements of airpower and surface power” (Air Force, 2015). This coordination
translate into immense pressure on enemy leaders so that they will (a) bend to the will of the
United States, or (b) be functionally defeated. In addition to these, superior airpower enables
joint force commanders to effectively respond to enemy movements with “unprecedented speed
and agility” (Air Force, 2015). Notably, airpower allows the AF (2015) to drive “the tempo and
direction of an entire warfighting effort regardless of the scale of the operation.”
Note: Flexibility means that the MHS should be prepared as well as empowered to shift
medical resources where and when needed (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2017). There could be sudden
changes to the operation plan such that there should be flexibility in medical planning and
execution in order to support the combatant commander’s strategy of maneuver. The PNP can
diagnose illnesses, perform routine checkups, prescribe medication and interventions, order
laboratory tests and counsel children and their family. Therefore, they can provide significant
inputs especially when medical resources are scarce.
Note: Continuity of care and treatment is attained during times when a patient is moved to a
higher level of care, encompassing from the point of injury to definitive care. The Air Force may
experience high casualty rates, long distances, as well as a range of patient conditions, which
6
mean to say that a patient would have the need to obtain treatment at each level of care or bypass
levels of care, depending on his or her condition (Joint Chiefs of Staff, 2017). The PNP can help
achieve continuity of care because even though they specialize in caring for children, they have
the education, training, competence, skills, necessary from primary to advanced care.
XI. Conclusion
References
Air Force Personnel Center. (2016). Air Force officer classification directory (AFOCD).
Retrieved from http://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/afi36-
2101/afi36-2101.pdf
Bibb, S. C., Malebranche, M., Crowell, D., Altman, C., Lyon, S., Carlson, A., & ... Rybarczyk, J.
(2003). Professional Development Needs of Registered Nurses Practicing at a Military
Community Hospital. Journal Of Continuing Education In Nursing, 34(1), 39-45.
Lewis, P. C., Yackel, E., & Prior, R. M. (2016). The Role of Army Nurse Practitioners Supporting
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. U.S. Army Medical Department Journal, 58-61.
Teicher, S., Crawford, K., Williams, B., Nelson, B., & Andrews, C. (2001). Emerging role of the
pediatric nurse practitioner in acute care. Pediatric Nursing, 27(4), 387-390.