Continuing Education Credit Designation
This educational activity is credited for 4 hours at completion of the activity.
Overview
The nurse’s role as a patient advocate for the vulnerable was first instituted in the early 1850’s by Florence Nightingale. Vulnerability is a general term that identifies susceptibility and one who is at risk for health problems. A vulnerable person is one who is at risk for poor social, psychological, or physical health. Patients within vulnerable populations include (but are not limited to) high-risk mothers and infants, the chronically ill, those afflicted with mental illness, persons who abuse alcohol and other substances, the homeless, those living with HIV and AIDS, those at risk for suicide or homicide, are immigrants, terminally ill, and are illiterate. To be an effective nurse advocate, the nurse must use the 4 stages of advocacy, which include the assessment of needs, identifying the patient’s specific goals, implementation the advocacy plan, and evaluate the outcome of advocacy behaviors.
Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, the learner will be able to:
- Describe the circumstances that would cause one to be considered part of a vulnerable population.
- Review the various vulnerable populations within various communities.
- Understand the healthcare professionals’ role as a patient advocate for vulnerable persons.
Policy Statement
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the policies of FastCEForLess.com. If you want to review our policy, click here.
Disclosures
Fast CE For Less, Inc. and its authors have no disclosures. There is no commercial support.