Download The Assignment On The Following Page In Word Format
Download The Assignment On The Following Page In Word Format And Sup
Download the assignment on the following page in Word format and supply your answers below each set of questions. Limit your complete assignment to 2-3 typewritten pages, not including a separate page of references. You do not need a title page, but in-text citations and full references should be in APA format.
Reflect on personal and professional actions based on a set of shared core nursing values.
Identify the name of the country you packed boxes for on the date and time you served at Feed My Starving Children at FMSC. How many boxes did your group pack during the session? Identify some of the social determinants of health in this country. How did your activity at FMSC specifically promote the health of the children in this region? Identify how this activity relates to one or more core nursing values (Altruism, Autonomy, Beneficence, Justice, and Non-Maleficence).
Identify professional standards of moral, ethical, and legal conduct. Define the term “social justice.” What professional responsibility do nurses have in this regard? (Relate this to the professional standards of conduct)
Reflect on one’s personal bias. Do you think health care is a right for all people? Why or why not?
Reflect on how one’s personal bias may impact one’s ability to provide care. Recognize risks that impact personal and professional choices and behaviors. Identify a potential bias a health care professional may have and how it could impact the ability to provide care to certain individuals. (This could be a care decision, an environmental risk factor, or professional expectation that influences your choice)
Demonstrate an awareness of the role of the professional nurse within organizational systems. Identify a local, national, or international organization that addresses the needs of a medically underserved population and in which at least one RN is involved. Explain how this population is underserved. What is the role of the RN(s) in this organization? What actions does the nurse take that influence a positive result?
Paper For Above instruction
During my service at Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), I had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful act of compassion and service aimed at alleviating hunger among vulnerable populations. I served in Thailand on September 10, 2022, at 2:00 PM, where my group packed a total of 13 boxes, contributing to the organization’s mission to combat childhood malnutrition. This experience not only aligned with core nursing values but also deepened my understanding of social determinants of health and the essential role nurses play in advocating for equity and justice in healthcare.
Personal and Professional Actions Based on Nursing Values
One of the most compelling aspects of this volunteer activity was witnessing firsthand the impact of nutrition on child health. The core nursing values of beneficence and justice became explicit in this context. Beneficence—the obligation to do good—was evident in the act of packaging food to improve children’s health outcomes. Justice—ensuring equitable access to resources—was reflected in our collective effort to assist children in a country where poverty and limited healthcare infrastructure pose significant barriers to health. My personal commitment to altruism was reinforced during this activity, reaffirming my professional obligation to serve vulnerable populations and advocate for health equity, consistent with nursing's moral standards (American Nurses Association [ANA], 2015).
Social Determinants of Health in Thailand
Thailand, a nation with a burgeoning economy, still faces disparities rooted in social determinants of health such as income inequality, education, and access to healthcare. Rural regions suffer from limited access to medical services, inadequate nutritional support, and poverty-related constraints that hinder health outcomes (World Health Organization [WHO], 2019). Addressing these social determinants through initiatives like FMSC’s food packing directly promotes health by reducing malnutrition, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children. Such activities contribute to a broader understanding that health is influenced by social, economic, and environmental factors, aligning with the social model of health.
The Role of Nursing Values in Service Activities
The activity directly relates to core nursing values. Beneficence was exemplified through the direct intervention to combat hunger, which improves physical health and supports growth and development in children. Justice was demonstrated through equitable participation in service, emphasizing that every child deserves nutrition regardless of geographic or socioeconomic status. Autonomy and altruism were reflected in the voluntary decision to serve, motivated by a desire to help and uphold the dignity of vulnerable populations. These values underpin the ethical foundation of nursing, emphasizing compassion, fairness, and respect for human rights (International Council of Nurses [ICN], 2012).
Standards of Moral, Ethical, and Legal Conduct and Social Justice
Professional standards in nursing require adherence to moral, ethical, and legal guidelines designed to protect patients and promote health. These are articulated in codes of conduct such as the ANA Code of Ethics, which emphasizes principles like beneficence, non-maleficence, justice, and fidelity (ANA, 2015). Social justice, defined as the fair distribution of resources and opportunities to achieve optimal health for all, is a fundamental component of nursing ethics. Nurses have a moral responsibility to advocate for equitable access to healthcare, reduce disparities, and support policies that promote social determinants favoring health equity (Braveman & Gruskin, 2003).
Personal Bias and Its Impact on Care
Reflecting on personal bias, I recognize that cultural and socioeconomic stereotypes can unconsciously influence healthcare delivery. I believe health care should be a right for all, based on the principle of health as a human right articulated by the World Health Organization (WHO, 2008). Biases can hinder effective communication and create barriers to trust, which are essential for quality care delivery. For example, assumptions about individuals’ health beliefs based on their background might compromise culturally competent care.
Such biases could impact decision-making, resource allocation, or the level of advocacy provided, ultimately affecting health outcomes. Awareness and self-reflection are vital to mitigating these biases, and ongoing cultural competence training is necessary to enhance equitable care (Beach et al., 2005).
Risks and Professional Behaviors
Risks include personal prejudices, environmental factors, or systemic issues that influence professional choices. For instance, a bias against patients with certain lifestyles or beliefs might lead to compromised care. Recognizing these risks allows nurses to employ critical reflection and seek continual education to mitigate bias, ensuring that care remains client-centered and ethically sound.
The Role of Nurses in Addressing Underserved Populations
One notable organization that addresses medically underserved populations is Partners In Health (PIH), a global health organization with local and international initiatives. PIH works predominantly in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, such as rural Haiti, where health disparities are profound due to poverty, lack of access to medical services, and inadequate infrastructure (Farmer et al., 2013). Registered nurses (RNs) in PIH play roles ranging from direct patient care to health education, case management, and advocacy. They are integral in developing sustainable health programs and ensuring adherence to treatment protocols.
The actions of nurses in these settings influence positive outcomes by providing culturally competent, comprehensive care that addresses not only immediate health needs but also the social determinants impacting long-term health. For example, nurses may facilitate community health education, support local health workforce development, and advocate for policy changes to improve healthcare access, exemplifying a holistic approach aligned with nursing standards (WHO, 2020).
Conclusion
Volunteer activities like packing food for Feed My Starving Children exemplify the core values of nursing and highlight the profound impact healthcare professionals can have on reducing health disparities. Through understanding social determinants, adhering to ethical standards, recognizing personal biases, and engaging in organizational advocacy, nurses can drive meaningful change locally and globally, ensuring equitable health for all populations.
References
- American Nurses Association. (2015). Code of ethics for nurses with interpretive statements. ANA.
- Beach, M. C., Saha, S., & Cooper, L. A. (2005). The role of culture in health care disparities. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 20(3), 227–231.
- Braveman, P., & Gruskin, S. (2003). Defining health disparities. Public Health Reports, 118(4), 278–283.
- Farmer, P., Kim, J. Y., Kleinman, A., & Basilicos, M. (2013). Reimagining global health: An ethos of human rights. PLoS Medicine, 10(4), e1001464.
- International Council of Nurses. (2012). The code of ethics for nurses. ICN.
- World Health Organization. (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health. WHO.
- World Health Organization. (2019). Social determinants of health. WHO.
- World Health Organization. (2020). The role of nursing in ensuring health for all. WHO.