Public health nurses can act as crucial health advocates in the community firstly by influencing policy. The reason is that one of their most prominent roles is to ensure equity and equality in the distribution of resources in addressing healthcare needs of different populations. For instance, groups such as Hispanics and African Americans have often been cited as disadvantaged groups in relation to access of healthcare. Since the aim of public health nurses is to curb or even prevent the occurrence of various diseases, infections or healthcare conditions, it is important for them to influence policy by advocating for equality in the distribution of resources (Kemppainen, Tossavainen, & Turunen, 2013). If certain groups continue to be disadvantaged, even those, which are privileged, may be at risk.
Secondly, public health nurses can be advocates by conducting research concerning specific health conditions in different geographic regions or populations. The profession of nursing has always been improved through research (Butler & Diaz, 2017). When public health nurses care for the various populations, it is important for them to document information and details, which can be shared either to improve the profession or to improve on the healthcare needs of the different populations.
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Lastly, public health nurses can be community advocates by educating the public regarding various healthcare needs. One primary role of public health nurses is to help in the prevention of different health risks. In this case, the nurses can educate the public about the importance of hygiene, and generally, specific positive health practices they can embrace to improve their wellbeing (Ezeonwu, 2015). The public health nurses can either conduct these programs while working at their respective healthcare facilities or conducting various campaigns to the public. Evidently, public health nurses’ role in the community is important, especially in influencing policy, research, and prevention of diseases.
References
Butler, S., & Diaz, C. (2017). Nurses as intermediaries in the promotion of community health: Exploring their roles and challenges. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/es_20170921_nurses_as_intermediaries.pdf
Ezeonwu, M. C. (2015). Community health nursing advocacy: A concept analysis. Journal of community health nursing , 32 (2), 115-128.
Kemppainen, V., Tossavainen, K., & Turunen, H. (2013). Nurses' roles in health promotion practice: an integrative review. Health Promotion International , 28 (4), 490-501.
