Health promotion strategies and applications

Health Promotion

The advance practice nurse is a professional healer that deals with many people on a daily basis. Coworkers, administrators, patients and their families all interact with the nurse throughout the working hours, and the relationships that are built form the basic structure that supports the nurse's career and very much determines the degree of success that will be achieved. The people with whom the nurse will interact come from many walks of life; the nurse will be exposed to people of many different races, ethnicities, religions, genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, social statuses, political opinions, and physical appearances. In order for the nurse to have healthy relationships with those around him or her, it is vital to be culturally accepting and understanding of anyone that might be a part of his or her professional relationships. President John F. Kennedy once said, "Let us not be blind to our differences - but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity." This statement is very relevant to advance practice nursing, as the nurse must be aware of cultural differences, understand the common elements between all people, and also create a safe and welcoming environment for all people.

It is important for the advance practice nurse to be aware of cultural differences and the significance of those differences. In order to overcome differences, one must first be able to identify and understand them. The nurse must educate him or herself about what differences will be found among the people he or she will be working with. Learning about various religions, ethnicities, and cultures is an important first step, especially becoming familiar with any different groups that are prominent in the area that the nurse will be practicing. Does the area have a significant number of foreign patients, or patients of a certain religious group? Are there cultural beliefs that are relevant to treating these patients, such as common religious beliefs regarding medical treatment, or significantly different communication styles that might need to be overcome? Does the nurse know how to respectfully deal with patients that might be culturally different without passing judgment or feeling uncomfortable? The nurse must be prepared to deal with every individual on an equal level and in a healthy fashion.

The advance practice nurse must also be able to focus on the common interests and goals of both coworkers and patients, despite any differences that exist. Identifying differences is important but will only have positive outcomes if similarities can also be found. In the workplace, the nurse may have very different political ideas or religious beliefs from the other nurses or from members of the administrative staff. However, the common focus of the entire medical staff is to provide the best care for the patients, and all other differences must be overcome to reach this goal. The nurse must also be able to find common ground with every patient and be able to relate to each patient in some way. A nurse that can relate to his or her patients will have better communication and results.

Not only must the advance practice nurse be aware of cultural differences and common goals, but he or she must also work towards making the working environment one where diversity is welcomed and accepted. It is the responsibility of every member of the medical staff, not just administrators or policy-makers, to develop a healthy mix of diversity and acceptance. The nurse must do his or her part to make coworkers feel comfortable and open about themselves, and every patient must feel welcomed by the staff. A patient who does not feel comfortable being open and honest about every aspect of him or herself will not be able to give all of the information that a nurse will need to provide the best treatment. A patient who does not feel welcomed and understood will not return for treatment, or will not be able to relax and trust the advice of the medical professional. A patient must feel that his or her life is valued completely in order to be able to be comfortable enough to put his or her life in the hands of the medical staff.