Question

1. What would my nursing practice look like if I didn’t consider the social determinants of health? Do I believe developing an understanding of the social determinants of health is integral to my daily practice?

2. If I consider my nursing practice over time, have I changed how I think about the social determinants of health or how being more aware of them may enhance my practice? What effect might my view of the social determinants of health have on the individuals, families, groups or communities I work with (or have worked with)?

3. When I reflect upon a specific situation where a social determinant of health constrained my nursing practice, what did I think? What did I believe? How did I act? How might the individual, family or group I was working with have experienced that situation?

4. When I consider a situation when an awareness of the social determinants of health and health equity enhanced (or could have enhanced) my nursing practice, what did I think? What did I believe? How did I act? How might the individual, family or group I was working with experience the situation?

5. How might I work collaboratively with a team to address the social determinants of health? As a nurse, in what ways would a collaborative approach be important for addressing the social determinants of health and health equities in my practice?

6. Part II of CNA’s Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses discusses a number of ethical endeavours related to social justice issues. Ethical endeavours are based on nurses’ “values [and] commitments to persons with health-care needs and persons receiving care.” How often do I consider such endeavours in my everyday practice? How might I enhance my understanding of ethical endeavours in nursing practice?

7. Consider this scenario and reflect on the points that follow: Stephen is a 17-year-old living in rural Nova Scotia who comes from a low-income family. He has failed to complete his current year of high school and recently revealed to his family and friends that he is gay. He now wants to talk with you in your role as the school youth health centre nurse.

a. Identify the social determinants of health in this scenario.

b. Think about how the social determinants of health might be interacting.

c. How might you use this knowledge to support your nursing practice with Stephen?

Answer 1

1)In Nursing Practice, a Nursing is not complete without considering the Social Determinants of Health.

Yes,A Nurse should believe developing an understanding of the social determinants of health at the individual ,community,and population level which is integral to the daily practice.Social determinants have a major impact on health outcomes,especially for most vulnerable population.Through Nurse Interaction and advocacy for patients,Nurses contribute to population health management results.