Working as a Nurse in the Australian Health Care System - Assignment Example

Working as a Nurse in the Australian Health Care System Part of your education includes experiences in different types of healthcare settings. How would your role in the primary care setting be different from your role in the acute care setting? Include in your discussion a definition of the philosophy of primary health care and the principles of wellness. The philosophy of healthcare generally entails the study of processes, ethics and people who constitute health maintenance among human beings (Maruish, 2000). On the other hand, the principles of wellness generally entail physical health care, nutrition and exercise among people. In simple terms, principle of wellness is the general integration of mental, physical and spiritual well-being of an individual. My role in the primary care setting generally differs from my role in the acute care set up. The difference generally lies in the health care set up. In primary health care setting, as the provider of the health care, I always act as a first contact within the health care system. In most cases, I coordinate other specialist care directly to the patient (Maruish, 2000). On the other hand, in acute care setting, most of patient’s health care is done in short term. In most cases, the care is urgent. In some cases, the patient is required to stay in the emergency department unlike primary care setting which is continuous. 2. Mr Alexopoulos, is 88 years old who has migrated from Greece and lives alone. He speaks very basic English only. In the past year he has fallen twice at home, once by tripping over a rug and once when he got up to go to the bathroom at night. He has become increasingly afraid of falling again and tends to restrict his activities in the home. He goes out only when accompanied by his son. a. In the information provided, outline the data the nurse would use to complete a risk assessment for Mr Alexopoulos (include biopsychosocial and cultural health care considerations in relation to implementing primary health care). Mr. Alexopoulos case shows the extent at which he requires primary health care. In as much as Alexopoulos is currently fine, he still has the mentality that he will fall again and therefore, he restricts movements in and outside the house. As part of the primary health care, bio psychosocial model approach and the cultural health care settings best suit this type of situation especially when it comes to completing the risk assessment of Alexopoulos. In using the biological psychological model in this case, the nurses will generally assess Alexopoulos behaviors, thoughts and emotions while the social psychological aspects, the nurses will generally asses the patient’s social-environmental, socio-economic and cultural aspects. All these aspects play a significant role in how Alexopoulos functions especially after his falls. On the other hand, the nurse will need to put the patient’s culture in mind while doing the assessment. This will include the patient’s shared values, behavior patterns and beliefs on certain aspects. After which, the nurse will have to offer a guidance on how to deal with the patient’s assumptions and way of life. b. What aspects of Mr Alexopoulos’ environment need to be assessed? The fact that Mr. Alexopoulos tripped and fell over a rug while heading to the bathroom at night is evident enough that the entire environment needs to be assessed. The entire environment needs to be clear to allow Alexopoulos an easy time moving around. Any hanging clothing, rags and obstacles needs to be cleared. Additionally, the environment needs enough light to enable him see the path well. c. Design specific interventions to ensure Mr Alexopoulos’ safety in his home. In this situation where Mr. Alexopoulos trips and falls while inside the house, it means specific interventions needs to be put in place which will ensure that the house remains safe for Mr. Alexopoulos. The entire house must be in such a way, which will allow Alexopoulos an easy time moving around. Any hanging clothing, rags and obstacles needs to be cleared. Alternatively, the house needs enough light to enable him see the path well. d. In terms of evaluation, what findings indicate that Mr Alexopoulos should not live alone in the house? The fact that Mr. Alexopoulos has the phobia of moving around the house and even outside the house is reason enough that he should not live alone or left alone at home. e. What allied health and community services referrals would you suggest to assist Mr Alexopoulos to maintain his independence? I would refer Mr. Alexopoulos to an elderly home 3. Choose one of the theories listed below and explain how it would apply in these different healthcare settings: Aged Care; Palliative Care; Mental Health; Hospitals. • Peplau’s theory The Peplau’s theory in nursing practices generally focuses on therapeutic relationships and interpersonal processes that tend to develop between the patient and the nurse. In respect to the aged care, this theory enables the nurses to understand the behavior of the aged people in terms of their pattern integration, communication and the difficulties in which they are undergoing through (Ziegler, 2005). The Peplau’s theory best applies in palliative care where the entire health care focuses on preventing and relieving patients who are suffering such as patients suffering from chronic diseases. In this case, the Peplau’s theory enables the nurses understand the body language of the patients during the treatment. Alternatively, it enables the nurses understand or identify the perceived difficulties of the patients (Ziegler, 2005). This theory also best applies to the mental health hospitals. The psychodynamic nursing aspect enables the nurses in understanding the mental state of the mental unfit patients. 4. Many countries suffer health inequalities, including Australia – specifically within the ATSI community. In Western societies social issues continue to emerge as the gap between those with and those without economic resources grows. a. In what ways do you think an individual’s financial status affects their ability to access health resources? In most parts of the world, access to health care is generally derailed by poor economic terms. The low average income of individuals remains the biggest obstacles to receiving appropriate health care among patients. Low-income earners tend to have difficulties in accessing health care because they lack of enough financials to buy the required drugs (Great Britain, 2008). b. Outline the social determinants that you consider disadvantage people and create health inequalities – in your answer include the common health inequalities for the ATSI community. Health inequality generally entails the health status differences especially in terms of distributions between different population groups. Alternatively, social determinants entail a collective set of conditions whereby people are born, live, grow and work. Some of the social determinants, which define people’s health inequalities, include financial security, education and housing (Great Britain, 2008). Environment also plays a significant role in determining people’s health inequalities. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health indices indicate that the community has continual inequity when it comes to health outcomes. The aspect of maternal malnutrition plays a huge role. Additionally, political pressure and social aspects in the community also plays a huge role in health inequalities in the area. 5. Discuss the following features of the Australian health care system: a. State vs Federal health care funding The Australian health care system remains a complex one. In most cases, it involves healthcare providers and many funders. The responsibilities remains split between the state and the federal sector. For generalization purposes, the State remains responsible when it comes to healthcare funding (Willis, 2012). b. Medicare vs Private Health Insurance Medicare and health insurance in Australian health care system are completely different in the way they operate. The difference in the systems depends on the components. In this case, the patients are entitled to treatment in public hospitals without charges (Willis, 2012). This is completely different with the private health insurance where the patients have to mostly deal with the private health care systems (Willis, 2012). c. Aged Care The aged care system was initiated by the state to assist in helping the aged in their medical care. d. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme The PBS or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is an Australian Government program, which generally provides subsidized prescription drugs to Australian residents. In simple terms, the program generally ensures that the residents have easy asses to medical facilities and health services (Willis, 2012). 6. Access DMF A4 nursing summary guide - 2010 from the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia website: This evening when you report for your shift on to your general medical ward, the charge nurse tells you that you need to assist on the orthopedic ward. You have not had any recent experience with orthopedic patients. When you arrive on the orthopedic ward, the charge nurse allocates you patients who require special techniques for getting out of bed and who need to do exercises using specialised equipment during the shift. You are not familiar with the techniques or the equipment. The charge nurse tells you that the patients can explain it to you. a. Should you accept this assignment and rely on the patients to explain the techniques and equipment to you? Having never worked in the orthopedic ward before and having no idea in the department, I will not accept the chance to help the patient. Additionally, according to the Australian Nursing Council and the national nursing competency standards, am not eligible to conduct any operations on behalf of any nurse in the department. Relying on the patient does not help in solving the dilemma. b. What aspects of the DMF A4 nursing summary guide - 2010 need to be considered in this situation? In this situation, I am not in a position to perform the task since am not competent enough. It would also be against the DMF A4 nursing guide, which states that it is always important to select the appropriate and competent personality to do the given task. c. What action(s) would you take? I would report the matter to the hospital administration that is the head nurse does not want to perform her task. d. Discuss your Scope of Practice within the Enrolled/Division 2 nurse role As a division 2 nurse, I intend to remain responsible and accountable among my fellow health care professionals in the provision of ethical client care and be a competent nurse. I will accept the sole accountability in determining whether the condition of the client can be improved (Leahy, 2004). 7. Identify 2 community health promotional strategies and evaluate their effectiveness. Health promotional strategies generally entail the process of making it easy for people to improve their health status. Alternatively, it is the process, which requires people or patients to take control of their own health. Some of the common community health promotional strategies include the creation of supportive environments for patients and strengthening of community actions. In creation of supportive environments, people living with patients are required to create a safe environment for the patients (Lundy, 2009). The environment should not only be safe but also satisfying. The environment should always be safe to work, live and play in especially for the patients (Lundy, 2009). On the other hand, strengthening the community action is always necessary. In doing this, it is always important to encourage people around the community to get involved and preferably take action in important decisions, which affect their health in the community. It is also important to provide support, information and education in order to help community members in building skills and establishing healthier choices (Lundy, 2009). 8. When you graduate, identify where you could find out about employment opportunities. Outline the interview process and materials/Information required to apply for a position Being in the 21st century, there are various way in which as a graduate I can adapt at locating job opportunities. I will not solely look for jobs in the newspapers advertisements to find job opportunities but I will instead seek various alternatives that are easily available for me. The first option where I can find jobs is by the use of the internet. Networking in this case can be done via online or in person. I intend to join professional associations and even attend graduates events to make it easier for me to find job. Referral is the other strategy to get myself a job. In this case, I will use individuals whom know. Alternatively, I will use job boards and career websites. Most of the cite boards keep posting job vacancies and even employment opportunities. Therefore, I intend to make use of this opportunity. Lastly, I intend to use job fairs. In the interview, I will definitely require various materials such as my credentials to make it easier for me during the interview process. Reference Crisp, J., Taylor, C., Douglas, C., & Rebeiro, G. (Eds.) (2013). Potter & Perry’s fundamentals of nursing (4th ed.). Sydney, Australia: Elsevier Great Britain. (2008). Health inequalities: Written evidence. London: TSO. Leahy, W., Fuzy, J. L., & Grafe, J. (2004). Providing home care: A textbook for home health aides. Albuquerque, NM: Hartman Pub. Lundy, K. S., & Janes, S. (2009). Community health nursing: Caring for the publics health. Sudbury, Mass: Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Brown, D. and Edwards, H. (2012) Lewis’s Medical-surgical Nursing: Assessment and Management of Clinical Problems. (3rd ed.) Sydney, Australia: Elsevier. Maruish, M. E. (2000). Handbook of psychological assessment in primary care settings. Mahwah, NJ [u.a.: Erlbaum Associates, Publ. Willis, E., Reynolds, L. E., & Keleher, H. (2012). Understanding the Australian health care system. Chatswood, N.S.W: Churchill Livingstone. Ziegler, S. M. (2005). Theory-directed nursing practice. New York: Springer Pub. Co. Read More