Theoretical and Ethical Framework Advanced Practice Nurses

 2 Theoretical and Ethical Framework
 Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) use nursing theories and concepts to expand patient care. The use of theory and research has proved nursing is a science and an art. Prominent nursing leaders develop models that offer the APN different perspectives on applying theory into practice. Nursing metaparadigms, established by Jacqueline Fawcett, focus patient care into four components: person, environment, health, and nursing (Butts & Rich, 2018). Reviewing theoretical and ethical frameworks can offer the APN further insight and clarify research regarding a phenomenon of interest (POI). Applying nursing theory and ethical frameworks to the concept of depression screening of adults in primary care will assist the APN in simplifying and predicting an effective screening process to identify and treat patients affected by depression that improves nursing practice. Nursing Metaparadigm: Relationship to POI Reviewing and examining a POI on assessment tools that screen depression in adults in an outpatient primary care setting can improve patient care and treatment. Depression is a mental health disorder that affects millions globally and is a common disorder affecting adults in the United States (Siniscalchi et al., 2020). Depression impacts the quality of life and is a considerable burden costing the healthcare system billions annually (Siniscalchi et al., 2020). The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Academy of Family Physicians recommend screening all adults for depression in primary care (Smithson, 2017). Evidence shows that the screening rate in primary care is low, and there is a need for improvement (Siniscalchi et al., 2020). Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs) can improve screening by using Patient Health Questionnaires (PHQ) to identify patients in need