Nursing Journals: Levels of Health Care, Health Service Agencies, Social, Political, and Economic Impacts on Health Care Delivery, and More

This collection of nursing journals covers various topics such as levels of health care, health service agencies, social, political, and economic impacts on health care delivery, and more. It also includes information about the roles of different health care professionals and models of reflection. Additionally, there is a sample application letter for a nursing job.

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NURSING JOURNALS
By (Name)
Course
Tutor
School
Date

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Journal Activity 1: Levels of health care in Australia
Levels of Health Care
primary Secondary Tertiary
What types of
activities may be
Carried out?
Health promotion
Prevention
Screening
Early intervention
Treatment
Health management
(Meleis, 2011)
-Maternity care
-Child health
-Comprehensive
emergency obstetric
-Neonatal care
- medical imaging
- intensive care
Burn treatment
Plastic surgery
Cancer management
Cardiac surgery
Surgical interventions
Identify types of
Programs
-Community health
teams
-Behavior change
Institute
-integrated chronic
care services
-family practice nurse
program
State Referral
hospitals
Block level
community health
centers
District hospitals
(O’Loughlin, et al.,
2016)
- National referral
hospitals
- Specialized
treatment hospitals
such as cancer
centers.
What are the
roles of the
health team
Members?
-Educating patients
on basic health
education
-Diagnosing less
- help in child
delivery
- children treatment
- emergency care to
- Performing
radiotherapy
- General surgical
operations

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complicated illnesses
-Treating diagnosed
illnesses
-Promoting
community’s general
health
patients with acute
injuries
- caring for newborns
- wound care
-Open heart surgeries
Journal Activity 2: Health service agencies
1. Government organization
Calvary public hospital is a health facility located in Bruce. The facility is a secondary care
provider strategically located to serve the people of Belconnen, North Canberra and Gungahlin.
The Australian Capital Territory government has mandated Little Company of Mary Health Care
to operate the hospital on its behalf. The facility is organized to offer in-home specialist
palliative care services, outpatient and inpatient care services. They offer a wide range of
services such as maternity care, medical imaging, rehab unit &aged care, public mental health,
Aboriginal liaison services, and surgical services among others. In my opinion, the hospital is
operating at its best capacity as it has qualified staff whose first priority is to offer quality care to
patients. Clients can access a map with direction to the hospital through Google. When at the
hospital, arrangements can then be made whether to receive inpatient, outpatient or homecare
services depending on their health condition. The hospital is funded by the government of
Australian Capital Territory through Little Company of Mary Healthcare.
2. Non-Government Organization

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Mater hospital is a private hospital located in Sydney. It is organized to offer services to patients
and levies charges for admissions and emergency services. It also accepts private health
insurances to carter for partial or complete costs of services. Patients can access it at 25
Rocklands Road, north Sydney, NSW 2060 (Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018).
Its main services are, acute renal dialysis, Obstetric services, intensive care unit, and maternity
services. Its services are usually effective and it is preferred by many patients for its
comprehensive care. Its main source of funding is the money levied from clients.
Journal Activity 3: Social, political, economic impacts on health care delivery
Impacts on Health Care Delivery
Social a. Fitting into the society by an
individual results to contentedness and
acceptance of the current health
systems and thus easing health care
delivery (Kronenfeld, 2009).
b. Socioeconomic class affects the
accessibility of people to health care
as only those who have adequate
finances are able to access care
(Kronenfeld, 2009).
c. The social perception of various health
conditions in various communities
determines how healthcare is
delivered (Kronenfeld, 2009).

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Political a. It is in the political arena, i.e. through
the government that policies related to
healthcare delivery are formulated
(Gholipour & Rahmatollah, 2016).
b. Government plays a role in availing
funds to health sectors to facilitate
delivery of quality healthcare.
c. The government subsidizes healthcare
utility products such a drugs and thus
making them cheaper and affordable
therefore easing healthcare delivery
(Gholipour & Rahmatollah, 2016).
Economic a. A stable economy attracts investors in
the healthcare sector and thus making
healthcare services easily accessible
(World Health Organization, 2013).
b. A stable economy improves the
financial status of people and thus
making healthcare services affordable
to them.
c. A stable economy increases funding of
healthcare facilities from the
government and other parties and thus

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facilitating advancements and
upgrades hence easing healthcare
delivery.
Journal Activity 4: Contemporary health issues
For Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginals born between 2010 and 2012, the life expectancy is
69.1 years for males and 73.7 years for females. For non-indigenous, the life is expectancy is
79.7 and 83.1 for males and females respectively (O’Loughlin, et al., 2016). In 2014, the total
health expenditure per capita was 96498$ (USD). Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of
death in Australia currently. The main factors contributing to higher mortality rate among Torres
Strait Islander and Aboriginals children are low birth weight, maternal health behaviors (alcohol,
smoking and nutrition) pre-term births, low socioeconomic status, and lack of access to health
services.
Journal Activity 5: Contemporary health issues: self-guided research
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a lethal virus that destroys the immune system of
human beings. It is a lifelong condition with no known cure. Without management treatment,
HIV continuously destroys CD4 cells leading to a serious condition called Acquired Immune
Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) (Murrell, 2018). The maximum life expectancy when living with
AIDS is approximately three years.
People living with HIV/AIDS face numerous problems ranging from social, psychological,
economical and familial (Dejman, et al., 2015). Some of the major problems are Ostracism,
anxiety, depression, social isolation, frustration, family conflicts, unemployment, homelessness,

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lack of family support, financial constraints, lack of fear to infect others, a tendency to seek
revenge, and social stigma.
At the community level, HIV/AIDS lowers the overall quality of life. There is increased
dependence and deterioration of living standards. The overall expenditure for health on both
social support and medical care is increased by HIV/AIDS (Stone, et al., 2009). Health workers
caring for HIV/AIDS patients might also get infected with the disease subsequently leading to
low supply of health staff.
There are various strategies that could be implemented to manage this menace. First, the
government should implement awareness and education programs. Various non-governmental
organizations should also be involved in creating awareness and educating people (Lashley &
Durham, 2009). The government should avail protective material such as condoms to people.
People have a responsibility of taking HIV tests to know their status and take appropriate action
henceforth.
Journal Activity 6: Introduction to health care and nursing
Nursing is the practice of caring for the sick. It con otherwise be defined as a profession in the
medical field that is involved on caring for individuals, families and communities at large
(Meleis, 2011). The main aim of nursing is to help all the aforementioned parties attain and
maintain optimal health, or to recover from poor health and to improve the overall quality of life.
The following characteristics and qualities are a reflection of a good nurse (Hardy, et al., 2009).
1. A caring nature
2. Empathetic
3. Organized

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4. Emotional stability
5. Adaptability
6. Mental and physical endurance
7. Quick decision maker
8. Hard working
9. Good in communicating
Journal Activity 7: Principles of wellness
The active process of being aware of, and subsequently arriving at the right choice of a healthy
life endorsed with fulfillments is known as wellness. Wellness has a larger scope than just the
absence of illness in an individual (Human Kinetics , 2009). Wellness have also been defined as
a state of total social, mental and physical well-being.
The unusual process through which the aspects of emotional, physical, intellectual or social
functions and conditions of an individual are impaired or diminished when compared with the
previous conditions of the person (Cousins, 2016). In many scenarios, the biological functions of
an individual are altered and the normal functioning of one or several body organs also altered.
Journal Activity 8: Enrolled nurse competency standards
Competency Element 3.3
This element ensures that nurses liaises with other staff in the workplace to ensure that the rights
of individuals and groups are maintained. During my nursing practice, I will constantly seek the
advice of other personnel when I encounter uncertainty about what to do in relation to issues that
compromise the rights of individuals or groups under my care. I will also seek advice upon
realizing that the rights of patients have been compromised.

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It is also this element that will help me operate within the responsibilities given to me. Such
responsibilities will be aimed at ensuring that it is within my own competence level that I
provide nursing care.
Lastly, it is by adhering to this standard that I will be able to incorporate groups or individuals in
vital decision making processes that relates to their wellbeing. As such, no crucial decision will
be arrived at without the consent of the aforementioned parties.
Journal Activity 9: Other health care professionals
Enrolled nurse – They are to take part in care planning and nursing assessments. They are to
evaluate the outcomes of care after providing nursing care to patients and their families. Under
the supervision of a RN, they are to coordinate groups of health care assistants. Lastly, they are
to perform various nursing responsibilities (Mosser & Begun, 2013).
Registered nurse – observing and noting down patients’ behaviors, creating harmonious
environment for patients and their families, analyzing symptoms to diagnose diseases, and
maintaining patients’ histories and records (Mosser & Begun, 2013).
Discharge planners – promote coordination and communication between a hospital and aged
care facilities and community services, planning for discharge and managing home care plans
after discharge, and acting as the resource person for planning the requirements of discharge in a
health care facility (Mosser & Begun, 2013).
Community nurse – Offer support to carer and patients at home, monitoring community health
as well as minor conditions such as injections and dressings, arranging equipment like hoists and
beds, facilitating elimination of disposable items like pads and cotton wools, and advising on
handling and moving at home (Mosser & Begun, 2013).

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Social worker – helping individuals, groups and families to cope with health problems,
counselling the aforementioned parties’ on various health related issues, acting as liaisons
between various health institutions aiming at general community wellness, referring clients to
various community resources, and addressing legal situations such as testifying for their clients
(Mosser & Begun, 2013).
Chaplain – offering pastoral care to hospital employees, patients and their employees.
Dietician – assessing nutritional conditions of patients, identifying nutritional challenges and
coming up with diet plans. They also offer counsel related to modifications of special diets.
Podiatrist – Treating ankle and foot problems such as ingrown toenails, arch problems, calluses
and heel spurs. Also treats leg ulcers and similar conditions related to diabetes and other
ailments.
Speech pathologist – works to assess, diagnose, treat and prevent social communication, speech,
cognitive-communication, language and swallowing problems in adults and children.
Occupational therapist – they aid people of all ages and occupations to improve their abilities
of undertaking various work and daily living tasks.
Diversional therapist – they are responsible for the development and evaluation of lifestyle and
leisure programs for patients.
Physiotherapist – helps patients with physical problems emanating from disability, injury,
ageing or illness.
Psychologist – Diagnosing after assessing, and subsequently treating behavioral dysfunctions
and psychological problems related to or emanating from mental and physical health.

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General practitioner – possesses a wide range of knowledge relating to diagnosing and treating
illnesses to patients of all ages and genders. They also handle patient consultations both at home
and at clinical settings (Agich, 2012).
Medical/surgical specialist – Responsible for performing pre-operative diagnosis on a patient
prior to conducting an operation and subsequently availing patients with post-operative treatment
and care (Agich, 2012).
Journal Activity 10: Models of reflection
Journal Activity 11: Additional models of reflection
Journal Activity 12: Application letter
(Present address)
(City, state, ZIP code)
(Date)
Chief HR Officer
XYZ medical facility
2nd Main Street, City land, CX32177
Dear sir/ Madam
As an Orthopedic nurse with exemplary skills, I have gained interest in your advertisement for
the vacant position similar to my area of expertise. The qualifications you are seeking for this

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particular job are well aligned with my expertise. I particularly occupied the same role at city
land orthopedic institute before its closure after legal problems with the authorities.
I have a five year experience in the field and subsequently well adapted to performing patient
evaluations, pre and post-operative treatments and care. I therefore hold strong beliefs that I am
the right person to fill the vacant position in your organization.
Thank you for your consideration and time,
Sincerely
(Signature)

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References
Agich, G., 2012. Responsibility in Health Care. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Science & Business
Media.
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2018. Mater Hospital Sydney. [Online]
Available at: https://www.myhospitals.gov.au/hospital/015790H/mater-hospital-sydney
Cousins, N., 2016. Anatomy of an Illness as Perceived by the Patient: Reflections on Healing
and Regeneration. s.l.:Open Road Media.
Dejman, M. et al., 2015. Psychological, Social, and Familial Problems of People Living with
HIV/AIDS in Iran: A Qualitative Study. International Journal of Preventive Medicine, 23 Dec.
Gholipour & Rahmatollah, 2016. Social, Economic, and Political Perspectives on Public Health
Policy-Making. s.l.:IGI Global.
Hardy, S., Titchen, A., McCormack, B. & Manley, K., 2009. Revealing Nursing Expertise
Through Practitioner Inquiry. s.l.:John Wiley & Sons.
Human Kinetics , 2009. Health and Wellness for Life. s.l.:Human Kinetics.
Kronenfeld, J. J., 2009. Social Sources of Disparities in Health and Health Care and Linkages to
Policy, Population Concerns and Providers of Care. s.l.:Emerald Group Publishing.
Lashley, F. R. & Durham, J. D., 2009. The Person with HIV/AIDS: Nursing Perspectives, Fourth
Edition. 4, illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Publishing Company.
Meleis, A. I., 2011. Theoretical Nursing: Development and Progress. s.l.:Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.

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Mosser, G. & Begun, J. W., 2013. Understanding Teamwork in Health Care. s.l.:McGraw Hill
Professional.
Murrell, D., 2018. A Comprehensive Guide to HIV and AIDS. Healthline, 28 March.
O’Loughlin, K., Browning, C. & Kendig, H., 2016. Ageing in Australia: Challenges and
Opportunities. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer.
Stone, V., Ojikutu, B., Rawlings, K. & Smith, K. Y., 2009. HIV/AIDS in U.S. Communities of
Color. illustrated ed. s.l.:Springer Science & Business Media.
World Health Organization, 2013. The Economics of Social Determinants of Health and Health
Inequalities: A Resource Book. s.l.:World Health Organization.