The Roles DNPs Play in Promoting Health and Wellness

It has been a privilege to work with the Cone Health System Congregational Health Ministry Program this summer. 

There are several significant roles the DNP prepared nurse plays in promoting health and wellness within the underserved population.  According to “The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice” one of the objectives of the DNP program is to prepare the graduate to “design, direct, and evaluate quality improvement methodologies to promote safe, timely, effective, efficient, equitable, and patient-centered care” (2006, p. 12).

As a DNP student, I have had the opportunity to examine specific epidemiological data for Rockingham County that includes the 2013 State-of-the-County Health Report (SOTCH).  The priority health issues identified include physical activity and nutrition, social determinants with an emphasis on education, and access to healthcare.  While working with the Congregational Health Nurses, I have had the opportunity to participate in health screenings for vulnerable populations in our county, especially with our Hispanic neighbors.

The Congregational Health Nurses in Rockingham County work diligently to provide health screenings that include blood pressure and blood sugar monitoring.  These health screenings along with nutritional, activity/exercise, and diet guidelines for chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension provide essential care to indigent members of our community.  My role in promoting health and wellness includes these hands-on activities as well as networking with leaders in our community to assess future health care needs.  As I think about the healthcare issues in our community, I would like to use my service learning experiences to plan and implement educational activities to promote health for our vulnerable populations as I continue and complete my Regis DNP degree.

The most challenging part of my community service involves time constraints.  I could easily get carried away and spend twice the number of hours required for our service project!  I have to remind myself to watch the number of projects I take on as we continue our degree work for graduation next summer J  After graduation, I would like to immerse myself in educational projects to address the health care needs in our community!

Onward to fall semester…

2013 SOTCH Report. Rockingham County Public Health Department.  Retrieved from http://www.rockinghamcountypublichealth.org/docview.aspx?docid=35582

The American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2006a). Essentials of doctoral education for advanced nursing practice. Retrieved from  http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/position/DNPEssentials.pdf