Question

Discuss the professional nurse’s role in health-promotion activities (PO 1 and 2)

Examine theories and concepts related to health-promotion activities (PO 1, 2, and 8)

Discuss health promotion, illness prevention, health maintenance, health restoration, and rehabilitation in relation to the nurse’s role in working with various populations (PO 1, 2, and 8)

Discuss the influences of moral, ethical, and legal principles on professional nursing practice (PO 6)

Identify effective communication with clients and other healthcare

Answer 1

Professional nurse's role in health promotion activities

Health promotion refers to the process of advancement of a person's health. Health promotion process improve one's control over his health. Professional nurses play a major role in health promotion and illness prevention . She can act as a health promoter as health promotion process is as important as curing the illness. The main roles of a professional nurse in health promotion process are:

a) Health educator or communicator or a teacher

A professional nurse can play a major role in health promotion of the individual, whoever is coming in contact with her ( patient or a client or patient's relative) by imparting knowledge regarding health and health conditions. Teach him regarding self care activities ( physical fitness, stress management)

For example: Nurse can educate a mother regarding the importance of nutritional food for the child's proper growth and development.

b) Counsellor

A professional nurse can be a counsellor for the needy. She can involve in one to one patient counselling, mutual goal setting process and also she can provide support and advice the patient in health promotion process.

c) as an advocate

Nurses can be advocates for individuals in many things such as protecting patient's rights ( Anti- discrimination policy). Professional nurse can act as an advocate to implement changes in the community , that promote a healthy environment.

d) as a role model

A nurse can model heathy attitudes and good lifestyle behaviours ( balanced diet, physical exercise)

e)As a facilitator

A nurse can contribute to patient's health promotion by acting as a facilitator by involving client in setting , implementing and evaluating health goals.

f) As a manager

Professional nurse has to co- ordinate and incorporate health educational activities in different health care settings and health services

g) Collaborator

Nurses can work as collaborator by work in interdisciplinary or multy disciplinary team in promoting health of the individual, family and community.