The healthcare sector moves quickly. Using evidence-based practice will contribute to the delivery of higher quality healthcare. Evidence-based practice reduces healthcare costs, enhances clinical outcomes, and lessens stress at work for healthcare providers in addition to improving the quality of care (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). Healthcare professionals should continuously educate themselves about the most recent scientific and technological advancements to stay abreast of emerging trends and best practices. I will research whether the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) website supports evidence-based practice for this assignment.

Nurse practitioners and nurse practitioner students make up the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), a professional organization in the healthcare industry. With more than 1.3 million members, the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (n.d.a) works to enhance patient care and develop the field. Membership benefits include access to the most recent clinical journals, networking opportunities, state and federal awareness-raising initiatives, and education and training (AANP, n.d.b). While looking through the different tabs on the AANP website, I came across evidence-based practitioners. I felt it was evident in many places, such as the practice-related research site, the press room site, and the research opportunities site. 

The work of the AANP is underpinned by evidence-based practice. I came across some supporting documentation for the connection between medically assisted treatment (MAT) and the opioid epidemic in a section of the website that I was exploring (AANP, n.d.c). This information was very helpful in showing how nurse practitioners are helping patients with opioid use disorder achieve better outcomes. There was also statistical data available for review in the form of graphs and infographics. This evidence-based research helps shed light on how advanced practice nurses like us can improve patient outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and improve the quality of care given the opiate epidemic, which has turned into a national public health emergency. 

As I start my educational journey, I think it would be beneficial for me to become a member of a nurse practitioner association that supports evidence-based practice. Since the culture in which I work does not value change, I do not want to get stuck in a rut and ignore evidence-based practice, even though as an advanced practitioner I will have the opportunity to make a significant impact on many people’s lives. I’ll advocate for better patient outcomes, more affordable healthcare, and high-caliber medical care. I think that by becoming a member of the AANP, I will be able to connect with other professionals who share my values and who use evidence-based practice to achieve their common goals. My patients and I will both gain from my affiliation with AANP.