Lynne M. Buchanan, Ph.D., assistant professor of nursing, University
of Nebraska Medical Center College of Nursing, recently was appointed to
serve on the Board of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses for a four-year
term. She was appointed by the State Board of Health, Nebraska Health and
Human Services System.
I was motivated to be a part of this advisory board because I think
we are in a critical state in health care, particularly in relation to
advanced practice nursing, said Dr. Buchanan, who also is certified adult
nurse practitioner. We really need advanced practice nurses in the community,
and this board establishes standards for practice and ensures they are
followed.
The duties of advanced practice nurses includes health promotion, health
supervision, illness prevention and diagnosis, treatment and management
of common health problems and chronic conditions. They prescribe therapeutic
measures and medications and establish collaborative, consultative, and
referral networks as appropriate with other health-care professionals.
The board establishes standards for integrated practice agreements between
advanced practice registered nurses (APRN) and collaborating physicians,
monitors scope of practice by APRNs and advises the board of nursing in
matters pertaining to the scope of practice. It also approves rules and
regulations with the Board of Nursing to implement the Advanced Practice
Registered Nurse Act for adoption and promulgation.
The board consists of five licensed advanced practice registered nurses,
five Nebraska physicians, three consumers, and one pharmacist.
My biggest motivation for wanting to serve on the advisory board is
for patient safety and welfare, she said. I have been in the nursing
profession for over 20 years and a lot of that time has been spent in advanced
practice.
Dr. Buchanan earned her bachelors and masters degree in nursing from
the UNMC College of Nursing in 1979 and 1983 respectively. In 1989, she
earned a doctorate in clinical therapeutics at the University of Washington
School of Nursing and in 2000 earned a post-masters certificate from the
College of Nursing Adult Health and Illness Nurse Practitioner Program.
Dr. Buchanan currently is a board member of the Nebraska Nurse Practitioners
and serves as treasurer.