Vaccine and immunization legislation.
Nutritional assistance programs for school youths.
Diabetes education for elderly outpatients in a community health clinic.
Reducing the number of re-admits of patients who have had outpatient procedures.
Reducing the number of patient falls on a medical/surgical hospital floor.
These represent a few community and organizational needs, challenges, and issues that may require and merit the advocacy, skill set, and knowledge of the DNP-prepared nurse. In your role as a DNP-prepared nurse, you may find yourself the champion and advocate for improved health outcomes both at a local and individual patient level to one of a national or global and population-based level. The DNP-prepared nurse is well poised to address and advocate changes not only in a healthcare setting but in a community context to promote positive social change and positive health-based outcomes.
For this Discussion, reflect on those needs, challenges, and issues that may be most important for your community or organization. Why do these needs challenges and issues merit the attention of a DNP-prepared nurse?
- Review the Learning Resources for this week and consider those local issues/topics that are most important for your community or organization. Find articles about your community or organization that reflect the need for intervention by a doctorally prepared nurse.
- Reflect on why these local issues/topics merit addressing from your perspective as a DNP-prepared nurse.
- Reflect on your role as the DNP-prepared nurse to address these local issues/topics and consider what type of practice changes or interventions you might recommend to bring about needed change for your community or organization.
Post a response to your Blog in which you describe at least two of the most important needs/challenges/issues in your community or organization. Why are these needs/challenges/issues important? Be specific. Then, recommend at least two practice changes or interventions you would suggest to address these needs/challenges/issues in your community or organization. Be sure to align your role as the DNP-prepared nurse to the competencies identified in the AACN Essentials.
In my role as a DNP-prepared nurse, I have identified two significant needs/challenges/issues in my community that merit attention and intervention:
- Nutritional Assistance Programs for School Youths: The issue of childhood nutrition and food insecurity is a pressing concern in my community. Many school-aged children in our area come from low-income households and lack access to nutritious meals. This issue is vital as proper nutrition is essential for children’s growth, development, and academic success. Additionally, childhood eating habits can have long-term health implications. Children who experience food insecurity are at risk for malnutrition, obesity, and various health problems.
As a DNP-prepared nurse, I can advocate for the implementation and expansion of nutritional assistance programs in local schools. This could involve collaborating with school administrators, local government, and community organizations to develop and sustain initiatives such as free or reduced-price school meal programs, school-based food pantries, and nutrition education programs. By doing so, I can contribute to improving the overall health and well-being of children in my community.
AACN Essential Competencies: This intervention aligns with the AACN Essentials in terms of healthcare policy advocacy (Essential VIII) and health promotion and disease prevention (Essential III).
- Reducing the Number of Patient Falls on a Medical/Surgical Hospital Floor: Patient falls in healthcare facilities, especially on medical/surgical floors, pose a significant challenge. Falls can result in injuries, increased healthcare costs, and longer hospital stays. Reducing the number of patient falls is essential not only for patient safety but also for improving the quality of care provided by our healthcare system.
As a DNP-prepared nurse, I would recommend the implementation of a comprehensive falls prevention program in the hospital. This program could include regular patient assessments for fall risk, staff education on fall prevention strategies, the use of assistive devices, and the creation of a culture of safety that encourages all healthcare team members to be vigilant about fall prevention. Additionally, data collection and analysis would be crucial to identify trends and areas for improvement continuously.
AACN Essential Competencies: This intervention aligns with the AACN Essentials in terms of quality improvement and patient safety (Essential V) and interprofessional collaboration (Essential VI).
In conclusion, the identified needs/challenges/issues in my community – nutritional assistance for school youths and reducing patient falls in hospitals – are of paramount importance to both individual health outcomes and the overall well-being of the community. As a DNP-prepared nurse, I am well-positioned to advocate for and implement changes that address these issues, aligning with AACN Essentials and contributing to positive social change and improved health-based outcomes in my community.