During my community practice with the Salvation Army, I managed to integrate the Essentials of Baccalaureate Nursing Education and contribute my knowledge and expertise to help meet the agency’s goals.
Liberal Education for Baccalaureate Generalist Nursing Practice
I was able to integrate my college education in the humanities and social and natural sciences to provide nursing care to poor individuals in various settings. My volunteering training at the Salvation Army allowed me to use my knowledge and skills while working with diverse populations. I was able to assess the needs of my customers and develop individualized care plans that meet their unique requests, especially on food provision. Additionally, I was equipped with the skills necessary to collaborate with other professionals to provide coordinated care for our clients. I realized that unfavorable climatic conditions could not allow our clients to practice agricultural activities leading to food scarcity, thus making this poor population have a culture of valuing food.
Basic Organizational and Systems Leadership for Quality Care and Patient Safety
The Salvation Army provides important programming and support to vulnerable populations, especially regarding food distribution and nutrition education. The nursing staff contributes to the effectiveness of these programs in a variety of ways. For example, registered nurses provide education on healthy eating and good nutrition habits. They also help to screen individuals for other health concerns and refer them to appropriate services as needed (Hill, 2017). Nurses similarly work with clients to develop meal plans that meet their dietary needs and help them to access food resources in their community. In addition, nurses play a role in food distribution programs. They help to assess the nutritional needs of individuals who are receiving assistance and ensure that they are getting the proper nutrients they need (Davey et al., 2021). Nurses employed by The Salvation Army distribute food and provide nutrition education to achieve the organization’s mission of helping humans meet their needs of food acquisition without discrimination.
Nurses align themselves with the philosophy and values of the Salvation Army by participating in food distribution and nutrition education programs. The Salvation Army is a religious organization that believes in providing help to those in need. One of the ways they do this is by distributing food to those who are hungry. They also offer nutrition education so that people can learn how to make healthy food choices. By participating in these programs, nurses help those struggling with hunger and malnutrition (Davey et al., 2021). The leadership role I played was that of mentor, helping to guide and support other staff members as they develop their leadership skills. I also work closely with our directors, providing them with advice and recommendations on how we can best achieve our goals.
Scholarship for Evidence-Based Practice
One research study that could be undertaken to improve care for the poor would focus on The Salvation Army. This religious organization has a long history of helping those in need, and so studying their methods could provide valuable insights into how best to care for the poor (Shaw et al., 2018). The key topic that should be explored to better understand the needs of the poor includes the impact of family dynamics on poverty and how interventions can help them meet their basic needs. We use a variety of techniques to ensure that our clients receive the best possible care and education. For instance, when it comes to food insecurity, we often utilize a client-centered approach in which we work with clients to assess their individual needs and then provide them with resources and information accordingly.
Information Management and Application of Patient Care Technology
The Salvation Army is a great resource for needy individuals. The Salvation Army remains committed to providing quality care for all individuals who walk through its doors by ensuring reliable food distribution (Hill, 2017). One example of technology used to enhance the care of these individuals includes electronic health records software used to distribute food by ensuring a balanced diet through the maintenance of accurate data records without human error. Radio identification frequency is the lacking technology in the Salvation Army; it can help keep tracking the inventory levels to ensure on-time stock replenishment to ensure no stock out during distribution.
Healthcare Policy, Finance, and Regulatory Environments
When undertaking food distribution, The Salvation Army aims to comply with all applicable laws and regulations. In particular, The Salvation Army takes measures to ensure that any food distributed is safe for consumption (Hill, 2017). In addition, The Salvation Army strives to create a respectful and welcoming environment for all who seek its assistance. Regulatory agencies help in ensuring that the food we distribute is safe and nutritious. They also help to set standards for food distribution so that we can best serve those in need.
Interprofessional Communication and Collaboration for Improving Patient Health Outcomes
I have collaborated with members of an interdisciplinary team when providing food to the poor within Salvation Army. Mostly, I have been responsible for ensuring every client receives two brown paper bags full of necessary foodstuff. My other duty was to provide physical assessments to decide on which people should be given which kind of foods. For example, I would recommend people with weak bones be given foods rich in calcium. To deliver the best possible care, I relied on input from other team members who had different expertise. For instance, I needed feedback from dermatologists since I am not an expert in that area; they would recommend the best foods for people with skin problems. By working with Salvation Army, I advocated for the less fortunate by providing them with essential resources they need to improve their lives, such as nutritious food.
Clinical Prevention and Population Health
A variety of protective factors related to this poor population were considered when engaging in activities with the Salvation Army. These include family and peer support and feelings of connectedness and belonging by offering foodstuff as a means of supporting poor individuals (Davey et al., 2021). Common risk factors associated with this vulnerable population included negative attitudes and illiteracy. Some complained that the two paper bags of food given were a form of mockery since it was too little. I used my epidemiology knowledge to explain to them that the foods offered to them were of high quality and would help them meet a balanced diet that would eliminate malnutrition ailment among them. I, therefore, urged them not to focus on the health benefit of the food distributed to them rather than the quantity.
Professionalism and Professional Values
I remained respectful and understanding when communicating with these poor people; this was important since it made them feel valued. At Salvation Army, we work hard to ensure that our food distribution programs are based on altruism, social justice, and self-reflection. We wanted to make sure that we are helping those who are most in need and that our programs are creating positive change in the world. To incorporate these concepts, we focused on meeting the basic needs of our clients first and foremost. And finally, we reflected regularly on our programs and progress to ensure we were living up to our standards.
References
Davey, J., Kahiya, E., Krisjanous, J., & Sulzberger, L. (2021), “Shaping service delivery through faith-based service inclusion: The case of the Salvation Army in Zambia.”Journal of Services Marketing, 35(7), 861-877.
Hill, H. (2017). Saved to save and saved to serve: Perspectives on Salvation Army history. Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Shaw, R., Stevens, B., Bewert, P., & Salt, M. (2018). Differential influences of the facets of religious and spiritual beliefs on Salvation Army officers’ quality of life. Journal for the Study of Spirituality, 8(1), 65-76.