Nursing for Public Health: Promotion, Principles and Practice, Coursework Example

Introduction

In the community setting, leadership represents a number of important tools and resources that have a significant impact on decision-making in the public health arena. It is important for nurses to play a critical role in the formation of leadership activities that will have a lasting impact on the community and its people in managing public health concerns of vast importance. This process requires a community to examine its current and emerging public health needs and to address these concerns with a model of effective leadership and oversight in order to accomplish the intended objectives and to improve quality of life for local residents. Therefore, community-based leadership within the public health sector requires a high level of acceptance and support in order to be effective in reducing some of the risks of disease and other health challenges that exist within communities. These factors support a greater understanding of the demand for nurse-led leadership in the public health sector in order to accommodate population needs effectively.

Body

Leadership within the public health sector must serve a community well in its efforts to minimize the risk of disease and other challenges that have a significant impact on its wellbeing. One strategy to consider is the appointment of a nurse-led leadership team that will be designed to establish policies and to provide oversight regarding governing principles regarding public health that impact local residents within communities (Cameron, Harbison, Lambert, & Dickson, 2012) These efforts are instrumental in supporting a framework to improve the visibility of public health needs and to recognize where new strategies and programs might be effective in supporting local communities in a positive manner (Cameron et.al, 2012). Nurses working as leaders in the public health sector are likely to create a lasting impact on local residents because they recognize the value of nurses as critical to healthcare practice and in their service to patients (Cameron et.al, 2012).

Nursing leadership within public health also requires an examination of different issues that have a significant impact on a community’s ability to address public health concerns and other needs in a practical manner (Bish, Kenny, & Nay, 2012). In this capacity, nurses must be able to demonstrate their value and contribution to the public health sector through expert knowledge and resources to accomplish the intended objectives (Bish et.al, 2012). These factors also support the continued growth and development of nurses as formidable leaders in public health in order to serve communities effectively and in consideration of their needs and expectations (Bish et.al, 2012). Nurses working in these roles must be able to balance their skills and knowledge with the needs of the communities who are served, along with making valuable contributions in other areas in order to accomplish the intended objectives in an effective manner (Bish et.al, 2012).

It is important to identify the specific tools and resources that are required to support a nurse-led leadership structure that will be effective in advancing public health within communities. Nurses are of critical importance to this endeavor because they frame the concepts and theories that govern public health and possess the knowledge that is required to promote effective policy development and decision-making in this area (Linsley, Kane, & Owen, 2011). They also provide support and knowledge to community members who may be unfamiliar with some of the aspects of public health that have a direct impact on their lives; therefore, nurses bridge these gaps and encourage local residents to seek healthcare advice and treatment as necessary (Linsley et.al, 2011). Furthermore, nurses support and encourage health promotion activities, including screenings that will have a lasting impact on disease prevalence and diagnosis within a given community, particularly for vulnerable populations who require increased support and guidance (Linsley et.al, 2011).

The future direction of public health in the United States requires an emerging group of nurse leaders who possess expert knowledge and who are confident in their ability to govern policy and support health promotion on many levels (Swider & Kulbok, 2014). These findings suggest that organizations must be on board with the development of new ideas and strategies that will enhance outcomes and that will govern the growth of public health in communities where the need is greatest (Swider & Kulbok, 2014). Therefore, nurse leaders are invaluable to this process and support the development of strategic growth and confidence in support of advanced public health support and prevention for community populations who require increased services (Swider & Kulbok, 2014).

Conclusion

Public health requires the support and knowledge of nurse leaders in advancing policy objectives and in supporting an environment that will expand health promotion and preventive care activities. These efforts are likely to engage nurse leaders directly in their communities to provide leadership, oversight, and governance in supporting the needs and expectations of communities in support of these endeavors. Most importantly, nurses in leadership roles must provide knowledge and education to local residents regarding matters involving public health as a means of improving personal knowledge and the ability to seek guidance as necessary when health concerns arise. This support is invaluable in advancing the objectives of nurse leaders and in their efforts to reach out to community residents to support public health initiatives and health promotion activities that will have a positive and lasting impact on these residents and their overall wellbeing.

References

Bish, M., Kenny, A., & Nay, R. (2012). A scoping review identifying contemporary issues in rural nursing leadership. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 44(4), 411-417.

Cameron, S., Harbison, J., Lambert, V., & Dickson, C. (2012). Exploring leadership in community nursing teams. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 68(7), 1469-1481.

Linsley, P., Kane, R., & Owen, S. (Eds.). (2011). Nursing for public health: promotion, principles and practice. Oxford University Press.

Swider, S. M., & Kulbok, P. (2014). Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations invitational forum on the role and future of nurses in public health: Final report.