The Evolving Role Of Nursing

For the purpose of this assignment I will discuss the developing role of the nurse in the primary health care setting and the importance of fortifying an approach which involves a social determinants perspective whereby factors which lead to poor health, particularly for vulnerable populations, become central to nursing practice in the community. I aim to discuss the evolving role of nursing in relation to patient care, advocacy, education and health promotion in the community. The primary care a nurse provides in the community must be underpinned by an approach which engages social determinants such as income and social status, education and literacy, physical environments and personal health practices. These social determinants are very influential
Primary care is the care of a patient in a community setting. The care of a person with a health concern in the primary care setting includes the evaluation, identification and management of the relevant health issue. Primary care may be defined as being ‘an approach to care that includes a range of services designed to keep people well, from promotion of health and screening for disease to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation as well as personal social services (Darker C., 2015). Primary care is often the first type of contact a person makes with health care services, such as the Clinic Nurse or Public Health Nurse (PHN). Primary care ‘is often understood as first line health services… mainly provided outside hospitals to people who are living in the community’ (Taket,
The fundamental principle underpinning public health is the provision of a comprehensive, integrated, multidisciplinary service to individuals, families and communities (Hanifan, et al., 2002). The health status of an individual may be shaped by the social determinants which are specific to that patient. The poor health of the patient may be caused by factors which are beyond the patient’s control. Health is not just the outcome of genetic or biological processes but is also influenced by the social and economic conditions in which we live (Farrell, et al., 2008). The patient’s health encompasses physical, mental and social aspects. The patient is not deemed healthy by the lack of disease or illness. Therefore it is pivotal that the nurse treats the social aspect to a patient’s health in a similar manner to treating the physical symptoms to ensure correct and effective care is provided. Thus creating a client focused service ensuring a needs based approach to service prevision. Health is “a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the