Running head: NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

Nursings Role in Population Based Issues

Stephanie Olson
Ferris State University

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

Abstract
Teenage pregnancy still remains a great problem within Kent County; and the nursing profession
can play an essential role in reducing the rate of teenage pregnancy. To reduce the rates of
teenage pregnancy and make the community change project a success will require the look at
nurses who have direct contact with teenagers, and nurses who have a population focus. In being
successful this will hopefully change many lives, and reduce pregnancy.

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

Nursings Role in Population Based Issues
The following topic that my group choose to research for the community change
proposal, inquires reducing teenage pregnancy. In order to accomplish this will require different
nursing professions to be looked at, and realize how they all play a vital role in a teenagers life.
School nurses will be vital player, because they start sex education early in a childs life by
providing sex education throughout their primary, middle, and high school education. These
nurses have direct contact with the students at an early age, where innocent is first seen and
unfortunately sometimes lost. The nurse that provides indirect involvement is the public health
nurse. Public health nursing is known for emphasizing on population-focused services with
goals of promoting health and preventing disease and disability, as well as improving quality of
life (Bekemeier, et. al, 2011).
School Nurse Direct Contact Nurse
The school nurse plays a crucial role in the teenagers life, beginning when the child was
in primary school, where all they had to worry about was learning how to read, write, and
playing on the playground. As the child grows up, sex is introduced, either they are doing it or
they have a friend who is having sex; this is where the school nurse becomes even more vital in
reducing teenage pregnancy. According to the Council on School Health (2008), School nurses
facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene
with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively
collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self-management,
self-advocacy, and learning (p. 1052). School nurses also participate in sex education, which in
some schools have been introduced as early as fourth grade, and continues until they graduate
high school.

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

Even though sex education is taught throughout the school years, it is the school nurses
responsibility to make sure that the information is actually being retained and understood. In
order to make sure this happens it will take imperative planning on the nurses part to reach as
many students as possible. Whether they are male/female, pre-adolescent or teenagers, all are
crucial people in helping prevent teenage pregnancy.
Leadership Characteristics
Leadership characteristics for this nurse would first and foremost include direct care to
the students. The Council on School Health (2011), indicated the responsibilities of the school
nurse include assessment and treatment within the scope of professional nursing practice,
communication with parents, referral to physicians, and provision or supervision of prescribed
nursing care, (1053). This nurse not only provides support for the student, but can help with the
family dynamics that goes along with teenage pregnancy, because some families are supportive
of the teenager, while others are not. School nurses can act as a liaison to help the family cope
with this difficult matter and help seek necessary health care professionals to get the teenager
and family through the pregnancy.
Other skills that contribute to being a good nursing leader are having critical thinking and
problem solving skills, in an environment. With these skills the nurse, she or he must figure out
ways to educate the entire area of Kent County, in such ways that the community understands.
Teenage pregnancy is not a light subject and some people have problems talking about; because
of this a leader must use good communication, have a positive attitude, and be an extremely good
listener when talking with the community. Dealing with teenagers and parents can be
exceedingly difficult; this leader must maintain optimism for both themselves and their team if
they want to be successful in reducing pregnancy.

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

ANA Standards of Professional Practice
The leadership distinctiveness characteristics that are listed above for the school nurse are
qualities that outline the Eight Domains of Public Health Nursing Practice, set forth by the
American Nurses Associations Public Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice in
Harkness & DeMarco (2012). As stated before the nurse will have good communication and
community dimensions skills in order to be effective throughout this project. Another aspect to
be a successful leader is having cultural competency skills, which is also outlined by the Public
Health Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012). Every
community is made up of different cultures; some may be more predominant than others, but
being aware of the ethnicity that makes up your community and how you advertise your
information to them, will improve your leadership skills. Each culture has their own idea of
sexuality and pregnancy, it is fundamentally important to know these differences and still be able
to set forth education efforts to help reduce teenage pregnancy.
Public Health Leader Nurse
Public health nurses are very important to teenage pregnancy because they work with the
community and provide health promotion. The American Public Health Association (2013),
made known that, Public health nurses integrate community involvement and knowledge about
the entire population with personal, clinical understanding of the health and illness experiences
of individuals and families within the population. They dont focus just on the teenagers or just
on the family, but the community as a whole; which in essence can reduce teenage pregnancy in
Kent County.
A core competency of public health nursing is the ability to establish partnerships,
(Schmeizer, et. al, 2008). It is the public health nurses responsibility to establish collegial

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

partnerships with representatives of the population, organizations, health and human services
professionals, and our government. While forming these partnerships the nurse must also
develop plans that reflect best practices; identifies strategies, action plans and alternatives to
attain expected outcomes (Schmeizer, et. al., 2008). Having these abilities makes the public
health nurse a dependable source of knowledge that makes for vast leader of this project.
Leadership Characteristics
The public health nurse must be knowledgeable, trustworthy, and an advocate for
everyone involved in the project. He/she would need to be self motivated and confident in their
skills in order to stand up for what they believe in, and not be afraid to take criticism from those
who oppose their position on teenage pregnancy. Like the school nurse, the public health nurse,
must have critical thinking and problem solving skills, as well as good communication. The
public health nurse, but also be able to find funding to help with the project. Funding could be
used in schools to help with more sex education classes, setting up a teen hotline for teenagers to
talk to someone if they are engaging in a sexual relationship, also getting volunteer
doctors/nurses to help with annual pap exams.
Other qualities he/she should have is being able to build upon the assets within the
community, building new relationships, strengthening existing relationships, rebuilding
weakened relationships, strengthening the capacity of people within the community to care for
their own health and the health of each other (Schmeizer, et. al., 2008). In order to get teenage
pregnancy reduced one must look at all these relationships and have a strong ability and
personality to work on these relationships. It is hard enough to get one person to listen to your
ideas but to get a community on your side is even tougher. Being a leader they need to look at
what strengths each relationship has and then start building on that, which will ultimately affect

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

the whole community. Which in retrospect will help the community fight to decrease teen
pregnancy and show teens that everyone is here to help them and be on their side. Which is what
a good leader does, they fight, until there is no fight left.
ANA Standards of Professional Practice
Like the school nurse, the public health nurse must also follow the Eight Domains of
Public Health Nursing, set by the American Nurses Associations Public Health Nursing Scope
and Standards of Practice (Harkness & DeMarco, 2012). Following all of the eight domains is
essential in being a leader, they need to be able to analysis information, be able to develop
policies and programs, and have leadership and systems thinking skills. With these skills the
public health nurse will be able to convince the community as well as others who want to be
involved, that change is needed in order to reduce teenage pregnancy.
Analysis
When looking at both the school nurse and the public health nurse, they require many of
the same leadership characteristics. Both roles are advocating and developing change in Kent
County to decrease teen pregnancy. They both require exquisite communication skills in order to
be effective leaders, not only for their team members, but also for the community. Critical
thinking skills are required, for any registered nurse, and are a component that is key in both
roles. Cultural diversity is also needed for both roles, because everyone has their own opinions
about sexuality and pregnancy, and knowing how to approach each one is a requirement in order
to get your opinions taken seriously.
Though both roles are very similar, they are also different in how they will affect the
community. The public health nurse will have effect on Kent County on a larger magnitude,
should the project succeeds, and this nurse will not only change the county but possibly the

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

entire state. He/she will have statistical information concerning teenage pregnancy for the state
and the county, be able to analyze the information, and provide solutions for teenage pregnancy
prevention. They are able to look at this project in a border sense and inquire funding to help
support policy changes.
The school nurse will be able to provide statistical information to the public health nurse
about teenage pregnancy in their school district. He/she is able to provide the emotional support
individually, not only to the teenager, but to the family members as well. They have direct
information and contact with the teenagers involved, which will give them access to the source
involved in this project. School nurses provide positive direction and education to the students
from which the public health nurse research in order to promote reduction in teenage pregnancy.
Though both roles have similarities and differences they both are reaching for the same
goal; the goal to reduce teenage pregnancy in Kent County. If both roles can somehow work
together and maintain this common goal then this project should prove to be successful.
Reflection
Both roles are very intriguing, and require an assortment of skills in order to be
successful. When looking at these roles, I feel I have some characteristics that would fit both the
school nurse and the public health nurse role. I have strong communication skills, and I can give
effective emotional support. Though I am not fully aware of cultural diversities, I would be
willing to learn about them to help provide effective information about this project, so I would
not offend the culture diversity. I always try to have a positive attitude and listen to everyones
opinions, which I believe make an effective leader and a project successful. Being able to
communicate with my team members and listening to their concerns or hopes would make my
team that much stronger. Knowing some of these qualities about myself, I would fit better into

NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

the school nurse role. I love having direct care, whether that is with students or parents, which is
why this role would be more suited for me.
The public health nurse would be a difficult task for me because I do not like getting into
politics; which I feel is beyond my capabilities and exceptionally intimidating. Being a newer
nurse also would make me irresistible to others, because they would have to believe in me and be
willing to give me funding, which I think would be hard for me to get. I feel that people wouldnt
want to bet their money on someone who is new, and I honestly dont know how I would go
about getting funding for this project, because I am inexperience. Maybe one day, when I have
more experience and understand politics should I ever get involved in them; then I would
consider the public health nurse role. Finally continuing my education and becoming a cherished
member of the nursing society is something I strive for everyday and will continue to work on
throughout my career.

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NURSINGS ROLE IN POPULATION BASED ISSUES

References
American Public Health Association (2013). The Role of Public Health Nurses. Retrieved from
http://www.apha.org/membergroups/sections/aphasections/phn/about/phnroles.htm
Bekemeier, B., Berkowitz, B., Conley, E., Elmore, W., Primomo, J., & Storey, M. (2011). Public
Health and Public Health Nursing. Washington State Nurses Association. Seattle, WA.
Council on School Health. (2008). Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health
Services. Pediatrics, 121(5), 1052-1056. doi:10.1542/peds.2008-0382
Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2012). Community and Public Health Nursing: Evidence for
Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Schmelzer, M., Cravetz, M., LaRosa, G., Smith, F., Fisher, N., & Garvey, N. (2008). The Public
Health Nurses Role in Achieving Health Equity: Eliminating Inequalities in Health.
Retrieved from
http://www.phnurse.org/docs/ASTDN_Health_Equity_Position_Paper_2008.pdf