Grand Canyon University: NUR 429V
10-2-2014
Nurses play a crucial role in promoting health. By changing someone’s behavior or state of mind, we are qualified to impact disease prevention and it’s associated death. These factors put a demand on the individual to make changes in many aspects of life. In this paper, three journal articles will be discussed in terms of nursing practice and the three levels of health promotion. Primary, secondary, and tertiary levels in health promotion will be compared and how nurse’s roles have changed and the implementation methods for health promotion will be discussed. Health promotion is defined as helping people achieve good health and using our extensive knowledge in multidisciplinary approach to advocate for our patients. By doing this, we help people gain control of their habits and strive for a healthier lifestyle. The purpose for health promotion in nursing is to encourage others to lead a healthy lifestyle. We are in close proximity with our patients and have many opportunities to encourage people to not only make changes in regards to their health, but to adhering to the changes and possibly reinforcing that to their family members. In doing so, we have increased and improved the availability of health- care services, reduced symptoms of chronic illness, and in turn, improved cost effectiveness of healthcare and patients. This has led to less hospital readmissions and the need for higher, more expensive levels of care. Health promotion has even eliminated unnecessary treatment and misdiagnosis. Nursing roles and responsibilities have changed tremendously since nursing first became a profession. Nurses are now consultants, manage follow up treatments, and are even involved in patient education and illness prevention. Nurses should never put limitations to their responsibilities to what is learned in school. Continuing education is vital in obtaining knowledge of new skills and responsibilities of nurses while staying in our scope of practice. Because we are frequently in contact with the community and caregivers we are in an ideal position to take advantage of our role as a health promoter. Staying updated on any new trends or procedures, attending seminars and conferences, and seeking knowledge from our peers can help nurses advocate for our patients in all sectors of practice. There are different levels of implementation methods for health promotion that encompass all areas of nursing. Some people may turn to the media or advertise via the internet. Posters, flyers, or a television commercial may help get the attention of patients who are in need of health promotion. In order to effectively promote health, the underlying problem needs to be identified and fixed at the source first. In primary prevention, the goal is to protect and educate healthy people from developing chronic diseases and preventing injury in the first place (Calderon, Balague, & Sanchez, 2011). Education is key to changing behaviors and preventing illness. Something as simple as reinforcing proper hand washing or using condoms and safe sex to prevent HIV are examples of primary prevention. Promoting good nutrition, excerise, and leading a healthy lifestyle are ways to prevent illnesses. One could discuss the dangers of tobacco, drug and alcohol use. Providing opportunities for the public to receive regular exams, immunization against infectious diseases, and screening tests to monitor risk factors at an more affordable level can encourage people to make healthier choices in their lives is a good preventative technique. By taking these steps to be healthy, it can be the most cost effective form of healthcare. After someone has been diagnosed with a condition is where secondary prevention would apply. This is when someone is seeking a cure or reversal of the condidtion. Eary detection of certain diseases and pin- pointing someone's risk