Nurses’ Role in Population Health

Running Head: NURSES’ ROLE IN POPULATION HEALTH
Nurses’ Role in Population Health
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Nurses’ Role in Population Health
From the onset, I have to agree with Halpern et al (2015) that the nursing profession has
continued to experience drastic changes over time. The responsibilities and duties that nurses
undertake in their routine practice have not only become more complex but significantly
increased. Until the last lesson, I used to think that nurses’ roles are strictly confined to primary
support, leadership and coordination and patient advocacy. But looking at the emerging trends in
public health, I realize that I have more to play as a nurse. In this reflection, therefore, I will look
at the future issues that are likely to bear significant impact on public health, and how global
health matters are likely to affect my community in Virginia. Now knowing what lies ahead and
with the knowledge I have acquired over time, I will reflect further on what I can do at a personal
level to implement population health at my workplace or my community.
There exist a vast number of health issues that are likely to bear a great impact on the
way we perceive public health today and in future (Nash et al, 2015). The trends present a mixed
bag with both positive and negative outcomes. These issues include rural healthcare,
consumerism in healthcare, the workforce change, transformation of administration with regard
to specialty drugs and benefits strategy, integrated care for population health, and use of
technology in transformation and acceleration of healthcare (Stanhope & Lancaster,
2015). Others include disruption of revenue and drug supply chain flow and legal and regulatory
changes.
Each of the aforementioned aspects is bound to impact healthcare provision either
positively or otherwise. In the US and specifically Virginia, the matter of evolving healthcare
environment and workforce may ominously affect the delivery of healthcare services as well as
the lives of its residents. Thousands of young and energetic individuals are likely to join the
industry. Apart from wages, this generation of manpower wants not just decent wages but a