Week 6: Blog 2
Discussion Topic: Week 6: Blog 2Week 6: Blog 2
Positive Social Change
Social Change is at the core of Walden’s mission as a university. The sociological definition of social change is the “transformation of culture, behavior, social institutions, and social structure over time (University of Minnesota, 2016).” However, Walden University’s mission of social change is even more succinct. It is “people working to improve the lives of others (Walden University, n.d.).” As a DNP-prepared nurse, examples of the kinds of positive social change you might advocate for include implementation of policy that decreases infection rates in a vulnerable population, organizational change to provide immunizations for older adults with limited access to insurance, or respite activities for the staff during work hours.
As an advanced practice nurse, you are and will continue to serve as an agent of change in all you do. Think about the positive impacts you have on patient care, the organization for which you work, the communities you serve, and even the field of nursing in the largest sense. Consider the ways in which earning the DNP degree will support you in your advocacy for positive social change and your commitment to fostering innovation for change in nursing practice.
References
University of Minnesota. (2016).
Sociology: 20.1 understanding social change.
Walden University. (n.d.).
5 things that everyone should know about social change.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
Learning Resources
· Lacoma, T. (2024, February 20).
How to save a webpage as a PDF on desktop and mobileLinks to an external site.
. Digital Trends Media Group.
· Microsoft. (n.d.).
Save an Outlook message as a .eml file, a PDF file, or as a draftLinks to an external site.
.
· Apple. (n.d.).
Save emails as files or PDFs in Mail on MacLinks to an external site.
.
· Clark, K., Rödlach, A., Ballesteros, M., Davis, R., Holmes, L., Miller, J., Minnich, M., & Schultz, A. (2024).
The role of doctor of nursing practice programs’ mission, vision, and values statements in the development of students’ professional identity: A qualitative studyLinks to an external site..
Nurse Education Today, 134, Article 106096.
· Fornili, K. S. (2022).
Expanded conceptual framework for ethical action by nurses on the “further upstream and farther downstream” determinants of health equityLinks to an external site..
Journal of Addictions Nursing, 33(3), 203–214.
· Green, C. (2022).
Applying the Nightingale pledge in reducing health disparities: A hospital-acquired pressure injury case studyLinks to an external site..
Advances in Skin and Wound Care, 35(3), 180–183.
· Khaghanizadeh M, Koohi A, Ebadi A, Vahedian-Azimi A. (2023).
The effect and comparison of training in ethical decision-making through lectures and group discussions on moral reasoning, moral distress and moral sensitivity in nurses: A clinical randomized controlled trialLinks to an external site..
BMC Medical Ethics, 24, Article 58.
· Torkaman, M., Heydari, N., & Torabizadeh, C. (2020).
Nurses’ perspectives regarding the relationship between professional ethics and organizational commitment in healthcare organizationsLinks to an external site..
Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 13(17), 1–10.
· Abu, V. K., & Moorley, C. R. (2023).
Social justice in nursing education: A review of the literatureLinks to an external site..
Nurse Education Today, 126, Article 105825.
· Johanson, L., Urso, P. P., & Priode, K. (2022).
Factors influencing the development of social change involvementLinks to an external site..
Journal of Excellence in Nursing and Healthcare Practice, 4(1).
· Walden University. (n.d.).
Social changeLinks to an external site.
[Multimedia].
· Walden University Center for Social Change. (n.d.).
Scholars of changeLinks to an external site.
[Videos].
Note: The approximate length is 15 minutes combined for these media pieces.
· Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, December 8).
Social determinants of health (SDOH)Links to an external site.
.
· Davis S. (2022).
The evolving role of social determinants of health to advance health equityLinks to an external site.. In D. Seibert, B. Malone, & P. DeLeon (Eds.),
Shaping nursing healthcare policy: A view from the inside (pp. 1–102). Academic Press.
· National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021).
The future of nursing 2020–2030: Charting a path to achieve health equityLinks to an external site.
. National Academies Press.
· Reising, V., Diegel-Vacek, L., Dadabo, L., Martinez, M., Moore, K., & Corbridge, S. (2022).
Closing the gap: Collaborative care addresses social determinants of healthLinks to an external site..
Nurse Practitioner, 47(4), 41–47.
· Walden Library. (n.d.).
What are the social determinants of healthLinks to an external site.
.
· Walden University. (n.d.).
Social determinants of health: Understanding vision health equityLinks to an external site.
.
· World Health Organization. (2022).
Social determinants of healthLinks to an external site.
.
· Bryant, S. G. (2023).
Screening for social determinants of health in transitional care patients and partnering with the faith community to address food insecurityLinks to an external site..
Professional Case Management, 28(5), 235–242.
· Davis, S. (2023).
Leadership for meaningful transformation: The National League for Nursing/Walden University College of Nursing Institute for Social Determinants of Health and Social ChangeLinks to an external site..
Nursing Education Perspectives, 44(6), 384–385.
· Sheingold, S. H., Zuckerman, R. B., De Lew, N., & Chappel, A. (2023).
Social determinants of health, quality of public health data, and health equity in the United StatesLinks to an external site..
American Journal of Public Health, 113(12), 1301–1308.
To prepare:
· Review the Learning Resources that address the importance and value of being an agent of social change.
· Reflect on your personal and professional commitment to advocacy for patients, communities, and the nursing profession.
· Think about the role of the DNP-prepared nurse as an agent of positive social change.
· Consider how, as a DNP-prepared nurse, you will advocate for positive social change and have a positive impact on your patients, communities, and the nursing profession.
By Day 3 of Week 6
Address the following in your Blog entry:
· Describe the role of the DNP-prepared nurse as an agent of positive social change.
· Describe how you intend to demonstrate your commitment to positive social change as a DNP-prepared nurse.
· Explain how you will be an agent of social change and have a positive impact on your patients, communities, and the nursing profession. Be specific and provide examples.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ entries.
Note: Be sure to review the grading rubric for this Blog so you fully understand what is expected of you. To access the rubric, click on the three dots that appear at the upper right of the Blog assignment page, then choose, “Show Rubric.”
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the
Reply button to complete
RESPOND TO THIS DISCUSSION POST. NO ARGUMENT. JUST FACTS
PD
Despite the level of nursing we are trained in, we all must affect social change. I work in a very impoverished part of Shelby County Tennessee. The clinic has a huge no-show rate for patients daily. I began reaching out to these patients regularly when they missed appointments. The most common complaint I received from patients is, “I don’t have a ride”. A considerable number of these patients have multiple comorbidities and need their visits in the office that are scheduled. In reality, they need more than that. I decided a few months ago, that if these patients who are relatively sick are missing multiple appointments because of transportation-related issues, I would go to them to conduct our visits. I could conduct some of the visits by telehealth, but with the impoverished clientele, most of these do not have compatible smartphones or an internet connection.
I started providing home visits for one to two of our patients each month, but I soon started getting referrals from other providers in our office. I now schedule a full afternoon once a week to see home visits for our patients. I have also added drawing blood samples to the current home visits.
Clinic management has voiced approval and appreciation for making this sacrifice for the good of our patients. The patients are the ones that have made the drive worth it. Most of them are so overjoyed with being able to regularly see their provider now. I have seen a significant improvement in medication compliance, improved blood pressure, and improved A1c’s. The improved control of Diabetes and Hypertension improves quality of life and significantly decreases mortality related to these conditions.
I have also partnered with a pharmacy that has agreed to home-deliver these patients their medications as well. Not only will they home deliver them at no extra cost, but the pharmacy will also pre-package the medications in dose-specific tear-offs. This has improved compliance as well. The patients can now recognize if they have missed a dose of medication. It also makes it easier to monitor compliance when I am at home. I can look at the medication box to see what dosages are still available. So far, this seems to have had an enormous impact on our client’s quality of life and has decreased hospitalizations. I am hoping to be able to take referrals from outside providers in the future.
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