Nursing's Leadership Role in Population Based Issue



Nursing's Leadership Role in Population Based IssueSue VansteelFerris State UniversityAbstractThe purpose of this paper is to compare and contrast the nursing leadership roles required to expand the women health program to prevent heart disease in Kent County. The roles of the Michigan’s Chief Nurse Executive (CNE) and public health nurse have been identified as key stakeholders in this initiative. These nurses are held accountable to the Public Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practices define by the American Nurse Association (ANA). Nursing’s Leadership Role in Population Based Issue“Public-health nursing is a population-based practice. Defined as a synthesis of nursing and public health within the context of preventing disease and disability, it involves promoting and protecting the health of the entire community” (Harkness & DeMarco (2012) p. 8). This paper will examine nursing leadership roles for promoting the prevention of heart disease in women in Kent County. The support for the program will be through the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH), and the Kent County Health Department. Other partnerships include the Wisewoman program, county clinics, and diabetes programs. Michigan Chief Nurse ExecutiveAccording to the Michigan Department of Community Health (n.d.) today, nursing leadership for the state of Michigan is represented by the Chief Nurse Executive (CNE). According to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) this position provides professional nursing leadership, expertise, and coordination in nursing workforce and health policy development (chief nurse). The CNE works closely with the Director of MDCH and has direct access to the Governor. The CNE advocates for the health and well being of Michigan through continued efforts to improve the nursing workforce in the state of Michigan, ensure funds for system-level nursing leadership, advocates for patient safety, healthcare quality, and prevention programs. Leadership Traits To be successful, the CNE must have a vision of the future and exhibit the passion for healthcare delivered through nursing. With declining federal public health funds and rising healthcare cost, knowledge of funding sources is valuable. Having the ability to positively influence our government officials, and secure funding through collaborative ventures, including private and public sectors, will be the primary missions. Extensive knowledge and experience in public health nursing establishes credibility and the authority to address the healthcare prevention and promotion program in the state of Michigan.According to Healthy People (2020), the leading modifiable risk factors for heart disease and stroke are: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, poor diet and physical inactivity and obesity” (heart disease and stroke, para 2). Addressing these risk factors can greatly reduce a woman's risk of cardiovascular disease-related illness and death.Developing strategies to combat these factors and effectively communicating them to a wide audience will be required to realize a measurable improvement. The key issue is to raise awareness and educate the women about their choices and ramifications. MDCH, and local health departments, are some of the venues being used to support the women’s heart disease prevention and the Womenwise program.ANA Standards According to the American Nurse Association (ANA) (2010), “the standards of professional nursing practice are authoritative statements of the duties that all registered nurses regardless of role, population, or specialty are expected to perform competently” (p.31). As defined by the ANA (2007), Public health nursing is distinguished from other specialties by adherence to eight principles. These domains include: analytical assessment skills, policy development and program planning skills, communication skills, cultural competency skills, community dimensions of practice skills, basis public health science skills, financial planning and management skills, and leadership and systems thinking” (Harkness & DeMarco (2012) p. 8). “According to Harkness and DeMarco (2012), public health nursing is a population-based practice. Defined as a synthesis of nursing and public health within the context of preventing disease and disability, it involves promoting and protecting the health of the entire community” (p. 8). Public health policy development and program planning skills will be required to identify the who, what, where, why, and how of the process. Once the framework of the vision is established, financial planning and management skills will be utilized to establish budgets to address all aspects of the program. The CNE’s communication skills will be utilized to convey the vision, framework of the program, and address financial constraints that may interfere with the prevention of the heart disease project.Public Health Nurse The Kent County Health Department (KDCH) (2011) visions state, “Kent County Health Department is responsive to the community health needs of the citizens of Kent by continually and diligently endeavoring to prevent disease, prolong life, and promote the public health” (access Kent). The Kent County Health Department offers a women’s health network program, and this project will expand services to the include women’s heart disease. The public health nurse will be the boots on the ground having direct contact with the target population of women. In this role, nurses will promote healthy life style changes for women in Kent County. The long range outcome will be evidenced in the reduction of heart disease in women in Kent County. Leadership TraitsThe leadership traits of the public health nurse include interpersonal and relationship building skills and the ability to display empathy and compassion. Assessment skills play a major role for identification and problem-solving in regards to women’s health and well being. The nurse will transfer knowledge to women about leading a healthier lifestyle and making healthier choices that will prevent heart disease. According to Pender, Murdaugh and Parsons (2011), “during health counseling sessions, the nurse should create enthusiasm and excitement about growth in positive directions and the benefits of new health-related experiences” (p.123).ANA Standards Skills identified by the ANA’s eight domains of public health nursing practice will have profound effects on the success of the initiative. Cultural competency skills will help gain the trust and ultimately sway the patients toward healthy decision making. Communication skills again play a critical role in delivering this program to the public. The nurse needs to have the ability to convey information to the patient in a manner that maintains the dignity of the patient. Once the trust has been established, basic public health science skills can be utilized to promote lifestyle interventions. AnalysisThe role of the Michigan Chief Nurse Executive and the direct care nurse are similar in the following ways. First, both need to have the communications skills that allow for the transfer of crucial information in a way the recipients can absorb it. Second both positions require a firm grasp of the nursing profession and how it can have an impact on the patient’s experience. The roles follow a divergence when it comes to contact with their prospective target audience. The Michigan Chief Nurse Executive must communicate at a global level, as not to dive into the details. The position requires painting the vision, and providing the road map to the destination. The public health nurse must communicate the details, but in a fashion the general public can understand. ReflectionTo be competent in the CNE role or as a public health nurse role one must be able to communicate in an effective manner in order to convey a coherent, meaningful message. Communicating vision, establishing strategies for program development and related policies are skills included in the author’s current role, which are similar to those of the CNE. Passion for mentoring and coaching are traits the author possesses that would mirror the public health nurses. One of the challenges the author needs to address is that of effective delegation. Overcoming this challenge will require an analysis of assigned duties of the women’s heart disease prevention project, as well as engaging the appropriate care givers in the patient’s plan of care. ReferencesAmerican Nurse Association (2010). Nursing: scope and standards of practice. Silver Spring, MD; Access Kent. (2011). Kent County Health Department. Retrieved from for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (2011). About the Wisewoman program. Retrieved from , N. (2008). Strengthening Public Health Nursing –Part II; how nurses leaders in policymaking positions are transforming public health. Pittsburgh PA: Spann Communications, LLC.Harkness, G.A., & DeMarco, R.F., (2012). Community and public health nursing:evidence for practice. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & WilkinsHealthy People (2020). Heart disease and stroke. Retrieved from Department of Community Health (MDCH) (n.d.) Background on the Chief Nurse Executive. Retrieved from , N. J., Murdaugh, C. L., & Parsons, M. A., (2011). Health promotion in nursing practice (6th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall. ................
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