You should respond to at least two of your peers by extending, refuting/correcting, or adding additional nuance to their posts. Your reply posts are worth 2 points (1 point per response.)
Incorporate a minimum of 2 current (published within the last five years) scholarly journal articles or primary legal sources (statutes, court opinions) within your work. Journal articles should be referenced according to the current APA style (the online library has an abbreviated version of the APA Manual).
Caring for Korean, Puerto Rican, & Jordanian Populations
Kristina Prewitt
February 11, 2024
Saint Thomas University- NUR-505- AP2
Dr. Marcia Derby- Davis
Of which biological variations among Korean Americans should the nurse be aware of?
One biological consideration the nurse should be aware of when caring for the Korean American patient is their size. Korean American are often much shorter and smaller than people from the United States, meaning they have less adipose tissue (Giger & Haddad, 2020). The nurse should consider this when administering medications to the Korean American, as many medications are fat soluble. The tolerance to certain medications that absorbed in adipose tissue may be lower for the Korean American patient. Another consideration is many Korean Americans are Lactose intolerant, because of a lack of lactase in their body (Giger & Haddad, 2020). As the nurse caring for a Korean American patient, you might consider certain dietary restrictions, or if the patient is showing signs of intolerance ask the provider to modify dietary orders. It is important to advocate with your cultural knowledge and awareness. Koreans also have a high prevalence of insulin autoimmune syndrome, causing them to have spontaneous episodes of hypoglycemia (Giger & Haddad, 2020). The nurse should consider this syndrome if a patient is experiencing random episodes of hypoglycemia, or exhibits symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Describe how stereotyping Puerto Ricans as similar to other Hispanic Americans can lead the nurse to errors in patient care.
Nurses should not stereotype patients in general, and should approach each patient as an individual. Listening to their patients cultural needs, concerns, and creating an individual plan of care based on that. Stereotypes that might be made comparing Puerto Ricans to most Hispanic cultures are their citizenship to the United States. Puerto Ricans are citizens of the United States through brightright, and this distinguishes them from other Hispanic groups. It allows them access to the United States healthcare systems, and practices. So, there might not be much a difference in the health care they have received. The nurse should consider their socioeconomic status when planning healthcare, this may impede their access to care. Puerto Ricans although citizens of the Unite States have a strong pride for their country, and it is important to recognize them as Puerto Ricans (Giger & Haddad, 2020). The nurse should consider the Puerto Rican as an individual and not stereotype them into one group of Hispanics, as the Puerto Rican practices their own cultural beliefs and remedies. Doing so may cause medical errors, or break the trust amongst the nurse and patient.
Describe the geographical location of Jordan, and indicate how this region of the world and the political turmoil experienced by Jordanians may have a profound political impact on the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans.
Jordan is a country located in the Middle East (Kamel,2024). Jordan is bordered by Israel, Syria, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The Middle East has experienced significant political turmoil for years, as a result it can have a major impact on the well-being of the Jordan American Immigrant. The turmoil can directly affect the immigrants mental health, socioeconomic status, healthcare access, and fear of discrimination. The Jordanian American might have post-traumatic stress from immigration and the constant turmoil they endured in their country. This might lead to trust issues, and fear. The Jordanian American might not be in good socioeconomic conditions, considering they immigrated from their country. This may lead to a lack of access to healthcare in the United States, and likely a lack of previous healthcare in their country. The Jordanian American might fear discrimination when seeking care, and might avoid healthcare in fear of that. They might fear stereotypes placed on them from their country.
Caring for Korean, Puerto Rican, & Jordanian Populations
Bermadean Mends
St Thomas University
NUR 505- AP2
Dr. Marcia Derby-Davis
02/15/2024
Of which biological variations among Korean Americans should the nurse be aware?
It is important to acknowledge that biological variations can occur within any ethnic or cultural group, influenced by genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. When considering Korean Americans, several aspects should be considered. Genetic Diversity is crucial in determining individual differences in traits such as height, skin color, susceptibility to diseases, and metabolic characteristics. Like any other population, Koreans exhibit genetic diversity, and individuals may carry specific genetic markers that impact their health. Certain health conditions may also be more prevalent in specific populations than others, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or certain types of cancer in Korean Americans (Sung & Park, 2019). Genetic factors and dietary habits can influence metabolism and variations in nutritional requirements among Korean Americans. For instance, lactose intolerance can vary among individuals, and some Korean Americans may be more predisposed to it. Similarly, skin color and susceptibility to skin conditions may differ (Sung & Park, 2019). Genetics and environmental exposure can influence factors like sun sensitivity and the risk of skin cancer, and epigenetic modifications can influence gene expression and contribute to biological variations in Korean Americans (Sung & Park, 2019). Individuals may also respond differently to medications, depending on genetic variations. Therefore, healthcare professionals must be aware of these factors to personalize treatment plans for Korean American patients.
2. Describe how stereotyping Puerto Ricans as similar to other Hispanic Americans can lead the nurse to errors in patient care.
As healthcare providers, nurses have a responsibility to acknowledge and appreciate the diversity present in the Hispanic population. It is crucial for nurses to avoid making assumptions or stereotyping Puerto Ricans as being similar to other Hispanic Americans, as this can lead to life-threatening mistakes when caring for patients. Stereotyping fails to recognize the unique cultural, social, and health-related traits of Puerto Ricans, which could result in misunderstandings and miscommunications that can negatively impact patient care. For instance, if all Hispanic Americans share similar dietary preferences or healthcare beliefs, it may lead to inappropriate dietary recommendations or treatment plans that do not align with the patient’s background (Diaz et al., 2020). Puerto Ricans may have distinct health risks and healthcare-seeking behaviors influenced by factors such as migration history, socioeconomic status, and access to healthcare services. Puerto Rican culture uniquely blends Spanish, African, and indigenous influences that shape their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. For example, Puerto Ricans may value family and community connections and prefer to involve family members in their healthcare decisions (Diaz et al., 2020). They may also have specific dietary restrictions or preferences, such as avoiding pork products or preferring plantains, yucca, or rice as staple foods. Puerto Ricans may also have higher rates of certain health conditions, such as asthma, diabetes, and obesity, which can affect their healthcare needs and treatment outcomes (Diaz et al., 2020). By recognizing and respecting the diversity within the Hispanic American population, nurses can provide individualized and culturally competent care that meets the unique needs of Puerto Rican patients and enhances patient outcomes. This involves developing cultural knowledge, skills, and attitudes that enable nurses to provide respectful and effective care to patients from diverse backgrounds. Culturally competent care involves understanding and addressing patients’ cultural beliefs, values, and practices and creating a welcoming, supportive healthcare environment that promotes trust.
3. Describe the geographical location of Jordan and indicate how this region of the world and the political turmoil experienced by Jordanians may have a profound political impact on the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans.
Jordan is a Middle Eastern country facing a problematic geopolitical situation involving political instability, conflicts, and refugee crises. It shares borders with Saudi Arabia to the south and east, Iraq to the northeast, Syria to the north, and Israel and the West Bank to the west (Ibrahim, 2021). The instability in the region has significant implications for the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans. The political turmoil in Jordan can disrupt access to healthcare services, making it difficult for immigrants to receive the care they need. This can lead to displacement and trauma among Jordanian immigrants, exacerbating mental health issues. Socioeconomic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and limited educational opportunities resulting from political instability can also impact the health and well-being of Jordanian American immigrants (Ibrahim, 2021). Furthermore, the uncertainty and instability in Jordan can create unique challenges for immigrants in accessing culturally appropriate healthcare. Navigating the healthcare system can be difficult, and it can be challenging to maintain continuity of care. As a nurse, it is crucial to be aware of the political context and its impact on the health and well-being of recently immigrated Jordanian Americans. Providing culturally sensitive care that addresses their unique needs and challenges is essential for promoting their health and well-being and ensuring they receive the care they need.
Module 6 Discussion: Issues in Today’s Workforce Culture
Ana Miller
St. Thomas University
NUR 506: Influencing Health Policy
Dr. Oliveira
February 12, 2024
Issues in Today’s Workforce Culture
Based on the reading in chapter 60, there are various issues presented in this chapter that persist in todays workforce. The issue that there is a high demand and need for nurses is challenging, especially with the baby boomers nearing retirement and needing nurses to take care of them. The reading showed data on how the number of licensed nurses who do not work is higher than the number of licensed nurses who are working in the profession. I think these issues persist because of the nurse-patient ratio, nursing burn-out, and the pay rates.
The nurse-patient ratio in Florida that I have experienced is 6 to 7 patients per nurse on medical-surgical units in acute-care hospitals. This is too high for one nurse to deliver patient-centered care to each patient. Many nurses that I have worked with have similar complaints of being overwhelmed with the amount of work every shift. Many times, the charge nurse also has a group of patients and is not available to help. The lack of help in medical-surgical units that I have worked in contributes to nurse burnout. I have worked with nurses who have left the bedside to go work at a private medical office or facility for a non-stressful work environment. I have also worked with nurses who have left the profession completely to avoid the high stress of nursing. Facilities that I have worked at keep nurses at this high 6 to 7 nurse-patient ratio and if the census drops, they will send a nurse home, and everyone goes back up to 6 to 7 patients.
Many nurses experience burnout from the amount of work they are expected to provide each shift. At the organizational level, nurse burnout can result in financial and operational losses through increased turnover and lost productivity. Given that, nearly half of nurses who reported an intent to leave their job identified burnout as a contributing factor, nurse burnout poses a threat to public health outcomes in the United States, as nurses make up the largest segment of the healthcare workforce (Stutting, 2023). When more than one patient uses the call bell at once, it is difficult to provide quality care to patients on time. If healthcare facilities adopt more resources to help nurses, there may be more nurses returning to work. In my current position, my hospital recently hired their first resource nurse who will watch the nurses patients during their 30-minute unpaid lunch break. Many times, nurses do not get a lunch break or cut their lunch short because there is too much of a workload. This is one resource nurse who only covers one units lunch breaks at a time a few days out of the week. This one nurse makes a huge difference for the nurses and a positive difference is seen immediately when she is there. This is a great example of how hospitals can attract nurses into their hospitals as full-time employees instead of part-time or PRN (as necessary).
Pay rates are an important reason why I think this issue persists. Nurses experienced extremely difficult working conditions, such as longer working time in quarantine areas, working in a high-risk environment, in hospitals with inadequate and insufficient material and human resources, increased workloads, and lower levels of specialized training regarding COVID-19. These factors greatly increased both nurses levels of burnout and job dissatisfaction during the COVID-19 pandemic, with satisfaction having a significant negative correlation with burnout (Galanis et al., 2023). Many coworkers that I have worked with left the hospital to go travel nursing during the pandemic, and so did I. The hospitals offered competitive pay rates and bonuses and nurses felt valued. After the pandemic, hospitals stabilized their pay rates and offered similar rates as neighboring hospitals in my city. I experienced how nurses I worked with left bedside nursing for stay-at-home jobs or went from full-time to PRN. Healthcare facilities, more than ever, need market adjustments due to the increasing cost of living that people are experiencing. I believe that the demand for nurses would benefit from decreasing the nurse-patient ratio, adding more resources to prevent nurse burnout, and increasing nurses’ pay rates.
Issues In Todays Workforce Culture
Alexandra Perkins
St. Thomas University
NUR506: Influencing Health Policy
Dr. Oliveira
February 15th, 2024
Based on your reading in chapter 60, why do you think the issues presented in this chapter persist in todays workforce culture?
The main issue presented in chapter 60 was short staffing. Short staffing in healthcare is a national issue that continues to worse as years go on. A hospital that is short staffed has serious consequences for patient care such as decreased quality of care, increased risk for medical errors, and higher rates of infections and falls (Griffiths et al., 2020).
The nursing shortage is prevalent in our country due to nurses searching elsewhere for employment besides the bedside. Especially after the COVID19 pandemic, the nursing shortage is growing more rapidly. Nurses are trying to find work from home jobs or employment opportunities not direct patient care. Other reasons there are nursing shortages are increased patient demand, budget constraints and nurse burn out.
In Florida, there is the largest population of retirees and elderly in the entire country. Florida is also conveniently one of the lowest paying states for nurses. Often, when hospitals have inadequate staffing, they bring in traveling nurses by incentivizing with high paying packages with tax-free stipends. Florida is known to not pay as well as states such as New York and California, which makes it difficult to obtain travel nurses. With the number of people moving to Florida from other northern states, the demand for nurses increases.
Hospitals have budget constraints that also contribute to a staffing shortage. During the COVID19 pandemic, hospitals were offering large bonuses for nurses to pick up extra shifts and work overtime. Now, hospitals rarely offer bonuses to come in extra. Nurses no longer want to work extra if they are not being compensated as they once were.
The most prevalent reason why there is a nursing shortage is nurse burnout. Burnout is described as a state of physical, emotional and mental exhaustion caused by the nurse experiencing prolonged stress, overwhelming workload and lack of resources and support. Twelve-hour shifts and mentally and physically draining. Patients are more demanding than ever and require copious amounts of assistance. The number of patients that a nurse is responsible for is often impossible to handle safely. This feeling of not being able to meet the expectations of others is emotionally draining over time.
Nursing burnout and short staffing have a reciprocating relationship. Short staffing leads to nurse burnout due to the increased patient load. Nurse burnout leads to nurses leaving the bedside, which in turn results in being short staffed (DallOra et al., 2020). Hospital administration is constantly searching for ways to prevent nurse burnout. Although nurses are vocal about what would be needed to prevent burnout, management support, decrease in abuse in the workplace, and a pay increase, administration continues to buy pizza to raise nurse employment satisfaction.
